Many patients now opt for tooth coloured fillings instead of amalgam or silver fillings because the former are virtually undetectable and generally save more tooth structure and put less stress on the tooth.

Moreover, due to concerns about the possible toxicity of mercury exposure from amalgam fillings, some patients choose to have these removed and replaced by tooth coloured fillings.

Silver fillings are bonded mechanically to the tooth. More tooth structure is taken away to allow the filling to stay in place. These fillings are wedged inside the tooth, causing stress to the enamel, leading to tooth fracture over time. In contrast, tooth coloured fillings are bonded to the tooth; hence, strengthening it. For small fillings, the dentist may use a tooth-coloured material called composite. For bigger fillings, inlays and overlays are required. Modern techniques and materials usually allow tooth coloured fillings to last as well as silver fillings.