Amalgam is the grey filling material commonly used to restore back teeth. The material is a combination of silver, tin and mercury, and has been the main stay of dental restorations for decades.

Amalgam is a hard wearing material, but there are certain drawbacks; namely appearance and the presence of mercury. Although there is no definitive medical evidence relating dental amalgam to certain conditions, there is a growing pressure both within and outside the profession to limit its use in dentistry.

The appearance of dental amalgam is more clear-cut. Most patients do not like grey filling in their teeth, and for these people composite resin (white fillings) are the solution.

Please ask your dentist if you wish to know more about amalgam fillings.