If you have ever taken a look in the mirror and spotted old silver or grey fillings in your teeth, you are not alone. These darker spots can bring up questions. Are they still safe? Do they mean something is wrong? Or do they just show how long ago the dental work was done?
Grey fillings can stand out, especially beside natural tooth enamel or newer white fillings. But noticing them is not always a reason to worry. What they usually tell us is something about the type of materials used in past dental care. Learning a bit more about where they came from and what they mean can help you feel more at ease about what is going on in your mouth today.
Why Fillings Look Grey Over Time
Many of those grey fillings come from a type of material called amalgam. It is a blend of different metals, including silver, mercury, tin, and copper. For a long time, it was one of the most common ways to fill teeth, especially the back ones that take on most of the chewing.
Here is why they look the way they do now:
• Amalgam has a natural silver tone that darkens with age
• Over time, the metal reacts with things like air, moisture, and food, causing the color to become dull or grey
• Some of the metal can spread slightly into the surrounding tooth structure, which can make the entire area appear darker
The good news is that this color change is usually just cosmetic. It does not always mean the filling is failing. It is just part of the normal aging process for those kinds of materials.
Kanaka Creek Family Dental provides both amalgam and composite fillings in Maple Ridge, so patients have the option to update visible or aging restorations with newer materials.
What Grey Fillings Can Tell You About Past Dental Work
When we see grey fillings in teeth, we can usually tell a few things right off the bat. First, it is likely that the work was done quite a few years ago. Amalgam use has slowed down in recent decades, especially with more natural-looking options now available.
We can also sometimes understand more about the original issue based on the size and placement of the filling. A large grey filling in a back molar might show that the tooth had a deep cavity or crack in the past. A small spot on the edge of a tooth could have been a chip or early decay from many years ago.
Some grey areas that people think are new concerns actually turn out to be long-healed fillings that have just aged. This is one reason regular dental visits help. We can check whether that dark spot is just old dental work or something needing attention.
Should Grey Fillings Be Replaced?
Just because a filling looks old does not always mean it needs to be replaced. Amalgam can last a long time. Some people keep their silver fillings for decades without any problems. That said, there are a few good reasons we might talk about replacing them.
• The filling is chipped or cracked
• There are signs of decay around the old filling
• The tooth is sensitive or painful
• You just prefer the way tooth-colored materials look
We always look at the bigger picture. If a grey filling is holding strong and the tooth is healthy, it might be just fine to leave it alone. But if it is making you uncomfortable or showing signs of wear, it could be time for an update.
Some people feel more confident when everything looks uniform. If cosmetic concerns are bothering you, that is valid too. We can walk you through what the options look like and how they compare.
Our team uses digital imaging to monitor the stability of older dental fillings and help identify if or when replacement with a composite filling could improve function or appearance.
What to Expect with Newer Filling Options
Modern dental materials have come a long way. Most fillings used today are made from tooth-colored materials called composites. These can be matched closely to the shade of your natural teeth, which makes them a lot harder to spot when you smile or talk.
Here is what sets today’s options apart:
• They are made to blend in with your teeth, so they are much less visible
• They bond directly to the tooth, which creates a strong seal
• They can be molded and shaped to better fit your bite
Another nice thing is that the materials we use now do not discolor as easily over time. That means your fillings can keep looking better for longer. If you are used to the way grey fillings in teeth age and fade in color, you may find newer ones feel like less of a distraction.
We are happy to show what different options might look like. A quick look during your visit can help decide what feels right for you going forward.
A Healthier, More Confident Smile Moving Forward
Grey fillings may stand out a little, but they do not always point to a problem. They are often just a marker of when certain dental work was done and what materials were used at the time. Knowing that helps take the mystery out of why they are there and what, if anything, needs to be done.
If you have started noticing them more or feeling unsure about whether they still do their job, it is worth getting them checked. Thinking ahead about your dental care (whether that means keeping your fillings as they are or replacing them) helps protect your teeth in the long run. Our goal is always the same: keeping your mouth healthy and helping you feel good about your smile.
Noticing changes in older dental work or curious about those old silver spots is common, and many people in Maple Ridge have questions about how long fillings last and what modern options are available. We regularly help patients understand their grey fillings in teeth and whether replacing them is the right choice. At Kanaka Creek Family Dental, we are here to examine your concerns and discuss your next steps, so give us a call to schedule a visit.