There are many differences between tooth-colored fillings and traditional fillings, but they all come down to the materials used in each filling. Traditionally, fillings were performed using silver dental amalgam which contains mercury and other metals. Tooth-colored fillings are composed of composite resin which is usually made up of acrylic resin and glass or ceramic. Composite fillings are white or tooth-colored while amalgam fillings are a dark silver or metallic color. Tooth-colored fillings are also considered to be safer by many people as they do not contain toxic materials such as mercury.