A 13-year-old boy with good oral hygiene and no previous cavities comes to the office for two small occlusal pit composite restorations on his upper left molars. the boy’s mother is present in the treatment room and asks the dental assistant why the dentist recommended tooth-colored fillings instead of silver ones. how should the assistant respond?
a) Silver fillings are outdated and less durable than tooth-colored fillings.
b) Tooth-colored fillings blend in with the natural color of the teeth and require less removal of healthy tooth structure.
c) Silver fillings are associated with health risks, while tooth-colored fillings are safer.
d) Tooth-colored fillings are more cost-effective than silver fillings in the long run.