When a dentist walks into the examining room and mutters the four words you fear the most, “You have a cavity,” what are the first things that cross your mind? While you might think of shots and drills, most think of a mouth full of metal. While gold and silver fillings have been popular for years, many dentists nationwide have taken on newer forms of caps and crowns which offer their own unique sets of advantages and disadvantages.

 

While gold crowns and fillings are go-tos for most dentists, they have one major disadvantage: they are ugly. If the crown or filling is close to the front of your mouth, whoever you are talking to will get glimpses of bright gold each time you open your mouth. This can negatively impact one’s self-esteem and is usually a bad idea for younger generations who will be stuck with gold-capped teeth for years to come. For those concerned about their appearances, leaps and bounds have been made in the dental world, and there are other options. Additionally, newer technologies are consistently being discovered, so even better options are sure to come in the future.

 

You could opt for an all-porcelain dental crown in lieu of the traditional gold. These crowns are fabricated entirely out of porcelain or other types of dental ceramic and are more cosmetically pleasing. These are usually the best choices for restoring front teeth but can also be used for all teeth- front to back. While they are attractive, porcelain and ceramic teeth fall victim to wear and tear more easily than gold crowns and fillings, so your dentist’s expertise may be required when deciding between the two.

 

Additionally, amalgam fillings are another option. Amalgam fillings are durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear, and have been used by dentists for centuries. They are made by combining mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metallic elements. The core advantage of amalgam fillings is their high resistances to wear and tear. They are often used on molars, where the chewing load is the heaviest. The greatest disadvantage is their color. They are not quite as noticeable as the traditional gold and silver caps and fillings, but they are still metallic and noticeable. Also, amalgam fillings have recently come under scrutiny for their mercury contents and have been rumored to cause health damages. While there have been no official statements made about these safety concerns, it is something that should be kept in mind.

 

If your bright and obvious gold and silver caps, crowns and fillings have been removed in favor of one of these other more aesthetically pleasing options, you probably have your own little collection of dental gold and silver. If this is the case, and you aren’t sure of what to do with them, send them to Cash for Dental Scrap! In addition to accepting more traditional silver items, like jewelry and flatware, we also accept dental gold! So request a shipping label, send us your dental gold and silver, and wait for your check to arrive in the mail!