White Fillings vs Amalgam Fillings — What You Should Know

A tooth may have a hole (cavity) from decay, or a broken area. Your dental team fixes it with a filling. Two main materials are used:

• White (composite resin) fillings. These are tooth-coloured. They are made from a mix of plastic and glass particles.
• Silver amalgam fillings. These are a strong mix of metals (alloy). They contain mercury combined with silver, tin and copper.

Both materials have been used safely in dentistry for many years. White fillings are now the standard for most cavities. Amalgam has been widely used for over 150 years. It is still in many people's mouths around the world.

Important note: In Great Britain, amalgam is still available but is not used for children under 15 or for pregnant or breastfeeding women unless your dentist judges it strictly necessary. In Northern Ireland, newer EU rules limit amalgam, but dentists there can still use it for UK residents until the end of 2034. Your dental team will explain which material they advise and why. This leaflet gives you some background. It helps you understand what is in your old fillings, and your options if any need replacing.

Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material. It is made of fine glass particles held in a plastic (resin). It is placed straight into the cavity and shaped. Then a bright blue light hardens it. Modern composites can closely match the shade of your teeth.

Good points:

• Looks natural and closely matches the colour of the teeth around it
• Sticks (bonds) straight to the tooth. In some cases, this means less healthy tooth needs to be removed.
• Suitable for front and back teeth
• Can be repaired if it chips or wears. Amalgam fillings cannot.
• Contains no mercury
• Now the standard filling material in the UK for most cases

Downsides and risks:

• Harder to place well. The tooth must be kept very dry, especially for back teeth.
• Wears faster than amalgam in very large cavities under heavy biting
• May stain slightly over many years, especially with tea, coffee and red wine
• A large white filling usually lasts 5–10 years. Smaller fillings often last longer.
• Takes a little longer to place than amalgam
• Some people have sensitivity for a short time after the filling

Cost: NHS Band 2 in England (£76.60) covers white fillings for most teeth. Privately, they usually cost £120–£300 per filling, depending on the size and which tooth it is. Your treatment plan will confirm your exact cost. Fees vary between practices and depend on how complex your case is.

Dental amalgam is a mix of metals (alloy). About 50% of it is mercury, bound with silver, tin and copper. When it is mixed and placed, a chemical reaction makes the mercury stable. Amalgam has been used in dentistry since the 1800s.

Good points:

• Very hard-wearing. A well-placed amalgam filling can last 15–25 years or more.
• Very strong under heavy biting. In the past, it was preferred for large cavities in back teeth.
• Easier to place well. It can be placed when the tooth is slightly wetter.
• In the past, it cost less than white fillings

Downsides and risks:

• It is silver, not tooth-coloured, so you can see it
• Needs a little more tooth removed so it can lock in place, because it does not stick to the tooth
• It contains mercury. The mercury in set amalgam is stable, and its safety record is well known. But mercury law limits its use, mainly to protect the environment. This law is Regulation (EU) 2017/852, which still applies in Great Britain. Its use has been limited further in the EU since 2025. Northern Ireland has an exception for UK residents until the end of 2034.
• In Great Britain, it is not used for children under 15 or for pregnant or breastfeeding women unless your dentist judges it strictly necessary. If you have kidney disease, tell your dental team.
• Over time, amalgam can make the tooth around it look grey
• Removing old amalgam fillings releases mercury vapour. This should only be done if there is a clinical need, with the right precautions. It should not be done just to improve how teeth look.

Cost: On the NHS, fillings are part of the Band 2 charge.

Many people want to swap old silver fillings for tooth-coloured ones to improve how they look. This is possible, but there are important points to think about:

• Removing a working amalgam filling also removes healthy tooth. Most professional guidelines do not advise it just for looks.
• Removing the filling exposes you to more mercury vapour than leaving it alone. Precautions can reduce this.
• The new white filling may not last as long as the amalgam did
• If an old amalgam filling is really failing, cracked, leaking or causing decay, replacing it with a white filling is fully appropriate
• Some people replace amalgam fillings one at a time as they wear out, rather than all at once

If improving how your teeth look matters most to you, talk about the options with your dental team. They will tell you honestly which fillings are working well and which really need replacing.

If you are unsure about your old fillings, or are about to have a new one, ask:

• What material will you use for my filling, and why?
• Are any of my old amalgam fillings failing or due for replacement?
• What is the risk of replacing a filling that is working well?
• How long should a white filling last in this tooth?
• If I want to replace an amalgam filling to improve how it looks, what would that involve?
• Could anything in my diet or habits make my fillings wear out sooner?

NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed each April. Any NHS charge shown here is the England charge from 1 April 2026. Charges differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Private fees are a guide. Your dental team will confirm the exact cost on your treatment plan before you agree to go ahead. NHS availability varies by area. Not all treatments are available on the NHS. Your dental team will talk with you about the best option for your case.