Since the emergence of cosmetic dental resin, white fillings have become a much better alternative to amalgam fillings. 

Silver amalgam fillings were once the primary material used for tooth fillings.  Silver-mercury amalgam was relied upon for decades as a reliable means of filling cavities and restoring parts of the teeth that had been destroyed by decay.  This was especially done in the teeth in the back of the mouth, where the darker color of silver-mercury would be less noticeable. 

The problem with this material, however, is obvious.  If you need to have to have a tooth in the front filled, its appearance will be visibly diminished.  White fillings, on the other hand, will look identical to the surrounding tooth matter.  They will be much better for your teeth as well.

This is because amalgams, by their very nature, can damage teeth in the long run.  This is due to the fact that amalgam fillings absorb moisture.  They will often expand and contract as temperature changes.  As this change in filling size occurs, it can actually crack a tooth.  At that point, you will have to have the tooth crowned to save it.

White fillings do not expand or contract in this manner because they are heat and moisture resistant. 

Silver fillings will also deteriorate through to a process called metal fatigue.  This causes them to corrode and to leak over time.  The protective seal on these fillings gets broken, and new decay will form beneath it.  This leakage will also make the entire tooth begin to look gray as time goes by.

Cosmetic fillings do not degrade this way, and they do not alter the color of your teeth.

This is because white composite materials match tooth color.   This material is durable, long-lasting, and cosmetically attractive.  New materials like porcelain and composite resin can give you an attractive, natural look and at the same time restore strength and durability to your tooth.

Composite resin white fillings directly bond to the surface of your tooth.  This restores the tooth to almost 100 percent of its original strength and functionality.  Cosmetic dentists customize cosmetic restorations to match the exact color your teeth.  Only trained dentists will be able to see the difference between these cosmetic tooth restorations and the real thing once they are in your mouth.

The improvement that white fillings will make in your smile is beyond value.  You will no longer have to be self-conscious about how you appear to people when you smile.

White restorations will also preserve more of your existing tooth matter.  Amalgam fillings require healthy tooth structure to be removed so the filling can fit the cavity.  However, when a tooth is restored with composite resin, is only necessary to remove the decay itself.  Cosmetic resin easily bonds to the tooth without any of its natural surface area needing to be removed.   

With all this considered, anyone who is seeking an attractive and effective option for restoring one or more decayed teeth, should talk to their cosmetic dentist about the latest options in white restorative materials.