Tooth-colored restorations

Tooth-colored restorations allow a tooth to be filled with a strong chemically bonded material that can be matched to the color of your tooth, making the filling appear nearly invisible. These natural white-colored bonded fillings are 90 to 95% as strong as a natural non-cavity healthy tooth. A silver filling is only 40 to 45% as strong as a non-cavity tooth.

What are the disadvantages of tooth colored fillings (white fillings)?

Frequent and/or prolonged exposure to dark liquids (coffee, tea, red wine) and foods with rich dyes (curries, etc.) may stain them.
They are not as strong as metal fillings.
Frequent and/or prolonged exposure to liquids with a high alcohol content may degrade them.
They are more expensive than dental amalgam fillings.
Dental insurance companies frequently impose a surcharge, payable by the patient, for placement of white fillings instead of dental amalgam, especially for back teeth.