What sort of filling after a root canal filling?

[SixImpossible]

2nd premolar (the one just before the molars is the 2nd, isn't it?), already fairly heavily filled in more than 1/4 of the tooth, including the side that touches the molar.

Dentist says I can choose between a white filling or amalgam after he has completed the root canal work. Function and longevity are more important to me than appearance.

Which should I choose?

[fridayfreedom]

My dentist advise white ones where the tooth is heavily filled as they are more flexible so put less pressure on the tooth when you bite.

[SixImpossible]

But OTOH don't white filings wear out faster?

I had a white filling over a root canal on a molar, and it lasted two years. The metal filling that replaced it lasted 20y before having to be replaced by a cap.

[Willdoitinaminute]

White fillings shrink as they are cured and are therefore more prone to leakage. The most important part of root filling is an effective seal in the access cavity ( the bit of the tooth in the mouth rather than the root). So it makes sense to use a material which is less likely to leak. If you are not worried about appearance then amalgam is a better seal. It is also a heavy metal ( large silver content) and bacteria do not like heavy metals so don't tend to grow well around them. They love growing on composite ( white filling).