Amalgam filling or Black filling?

What is amalgam filling?

Black fillings in teeth are made from amalgam, a durable metal material used to restore decayed or damaged teeth.Amalgam is a special alloy obtained by mixing mercury, a metal in liquid form at room temperature, with other metal powders such as silver, tin, copper, zinc in solid form. The mercury content is around 50 percent.

In the mouth, amalgam fillings, like all other filling materials, are in constant interaction with surrounding tissues. Mercury in the amalgam filling enters the body in various ways by separating from the filling structure during the placement of amalgam in the tooth, removal of old amalgam fillings from the tooth and polishing of amalgam fillings. It has been reported that oral mercury concentration increases in individuals with amalgam fillings after mechanical stimuli such as chewing and tooth brushing. In addition, it has been found that teeth grinding of individuals with amalgam fillings in their mouths has a limited effect on the level of mercury in urine and blood. The amount of mercury evaporation increases with increasing oral temperature. Every hot food-drink and cigarette taken into the mouth causes heating in the amalgam and release of mercury vapour.

Apart from these, it has an unaesthetic appearance. It can cause grey discolouration on teeth and gums, also called amalgam tattooing. Since they are not chemically bonded to the tooth tissue and expand during hardening, they cause cracks and fractures in the teeth. In addition, those who are allergic to substances such as mercury silver may experience problems.

In addition to all these, it is still preferred because it is easy and cheap to apply, resistant to chewing pressures, and long-lasting. However, under the current rules of the European Union, amalgam filling is prohibited in the dental treatment of those under the age of 15, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and its production and import will be prohibited as of 1 July 2026.

What is Composite Filling?

Composite filling is a type of dental filling used to treat tooth decay, repair broken teeth or correct aesthetic defects in teeth. Composite filling, which is usually white in colour, offers aesthetically satisfying results by adapting to the natural tooth colour. The dentist fills and shapes the damaged or decayed area of the tooth using a special material called composite resin. In this way, the functionality of the tooth is restored and a natural appearance is achieved.

It has a wide range of use. It can be used in fillings of premolars and molars where aesthetics are important, in material deficiencies due to erosion or abrasion in the teeth, in the repair of broken dental fillings or prostheses, in shape and discolouration disorders in the front teeth, in closing the gaps between the teeth, in closing the gaps caused by gingival recession and in the treatment of tooth sensitivity.

With the developing dentistry technology, the durability of composite fillings has increased. When applied correctly, composite fillings can be long-lasting and resistant to daily dental functions.

Composite fillings require a smaller amount of intact tooth tissue to be removed for tooth preparation. This helps to preserve the natural structure of the tooth and reduces anxiety from dental procedures.