There are several reasons why we recommend composite resins as a superior material for filling cavities, compared to silver amalgams. First, the filling process requires less drilling and therefore we conserve more tooth structure. Second, the material actually bonds like a sealant to the tooth, unlike amalgam that can crack and separate with time, leaving the tooth open to further decay. Finally, composite resins actually mimic the structure of the tooth so closely, that they're virtually unnoticeable.