A Amalgam or silver fillings are the metal coloured fillings that many people have. Amalgam was the traditional material used for fillings for many years.
A The National Health Service will not usually allow white fillings on the biting surfaces of back teeth. However, this does not apply to the sides of back teeth or to any front teeth.
A It is usually best to change fillings only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.
A Adhesive dentistry is another form of this treatment. This involves bonding the filling to the tooth.
The dentist has to remove less of the tooth, which is obviously better.