Are they as good as silver amalgam fillings?

White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver amalgam fillings.  But there are now new materials available with properties comparable to silver amalgam, and these are proving to be very successful.  The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.  Your dentist can advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.  However, any fillings provided on the NHS are automatically guaranteed for one year.