Everything you need to know about silver fillings.

What are they?
A filling replaces part of a tooth that has been lost because of decay or through accidental damage. ‘Silver’ fillings are made from dental amalgam, a mixture of mercury with other metals, including silver, tin, and copper.
Amalgam is soft at first but quickly becomes hard once placed in the tooth. Dentists use amalgam because it is tough and safe. However, there are alternatives to amalgam, such as white fillings, which are more expensive.