Comment: Flouride and better home care programs have reduced new caries (decay), beginning in the 1970's. Prior to this period, most patients had their back teeth filled with silver amalgam. These fillings have now been replaced with larger silver or composite resin fillings or are severely aged. The following discussion will place this issue into proper clinical and economic management perspective on behalf of the patient.

Comment: Comprehensive well-planned and well done restorative dentistry is an excellent investment value and a health care benefit. In our opinion, total dental care requires the use of porcelain or gold restorations when replacing moderate-sized silver of composite resin fillings. There is a dangerous wave in dentistry at the present time where patients are exchanging silver fillings for white (tooth-colored) composite resin fillings. The end result will always be larger problems, when its done correctly. Many dental insurances will also deny the patient the opportunity to have it done right in the first place, however, they will reimburse for catastrophic conditions.

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