Blog / 5 June 2026 · 3 min read

Composite vs. Metal Fillings: Which Should You Choose?

For decades, silver amalgam was the standard material for treating cavities. It's strong and long-lasting, but its dark colour makes it clearly visible whenever you smile or laugh — which is part of why composite fillings have become the more popular choice for most patients today.

Composite fillings are made of a tooth-coloured resin that's shaped and polished to blend in with your natural enamel. Beyond the cosmetic advantage, composite also bonds directly to the tooth structure, which means less healthy tooth needs to be removed to place the filling compared to metal amalgam.

Metal fillings still have a place, particularly for larger cavities in back molars that bear heavy chewing force, where their strength and longer track record can be an advantage. They're also generally a lower-cost option.

Composite fillings, on the other hand, are ideal for front teeth and any visible area where appearance matters, and they perform very well for small to medium-sized cavities throughout the mouth. With good oral hygiene, both materials can last many years — the right choice usually comes down to the location of the cavity, the size of the repair needed, and your priorities around appearance versus cost.

If you're unsure which is right for your situation, it's worth discussing during your next checkup — a quick visual exam is usually enough for us to recommend the better option for that specific tooth.