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| Traditional amalgam ("silver") fillings have been accused of being harmful to health, but although many tests have been carried out, these accusations have never been proven scientifically. There are however other reasons why there is a trend away from amalgam: a composite resin ("plastic") filling looks nicer and lasts longer. An amalgam filling requires more drilling of the tooth in order to be firmly fixed, and this weakens the remaining tooth enamel. In addition, pressure can build up in the tooth because the amalgam expands over time due to oxidation. This is usually the explanation of why teeth with amalgam fillings tend to split and break. We normally use composite resin fillings for cavities or other defects in the teeth. For small cavities we use composite resin; in the case of larger defects, we make crowns. |
