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Treatments

Tooth Fillings

 

We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past.

Disadvantages of Silver fillings:

Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split.

Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.

Silver fillings remain in place by the shape of the filling design, and sometimes more tooth structure is needed to be removed than if a white filling material were placed.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations.

Composites or (white colored fillings) are a resin-based filling material that requires a conservative amount of tooth structure to be removed for their placement.  They can be placed to help match your current tooth shade.  However, please note that if you bleach your teeth, the filling material will not lighten, and if you drink staining foods or smoke, the filling material does not darken.  Overtime, the edges of the filling may become darker, and you may opt to replace it with a shade that matches better if you practice these activities.

Other alternatives to composite or silver fillings are resin inlays or onlays.

Resin onlays and inlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

The result is a beautiful smile!

Resin Onlays and Inlay Procedures

This process requires two appointments.

Your First Appointment:

  1. The old filling is removed along with any additional decay.
  2. An impression is made of your teeth. A model of your teeth is made and sent to the lab.
  3. A temporary onlay is placed on the tooth.

At the Lab: A resin is carefully placed into the model of your teeth. It is then designed to look natural.

Your Second Appointment:

  1. The temporary onlay is removed.
  2. A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new onlay.
  3. Bonding cement is placed on the tooth and a high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
  4. The tooth is then polished.

Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!