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 We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.
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 fracture the tooth. Every time you eat something very hot and then something very cold the tooth structure expands and contracts at a different rate than the silver filling.
Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.
More tooth structure must be removed when doing a silver filling compared with modern tooth-colored fillings.
Fortunately, most silver fillings can safely be replaced with Tooth Colored Restorations.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations
There are many advantages to tooth colored restorations. They 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. Less tooth structure needs to be removed to retain and bond tooth colored restorations.
Most patients experience less sensitivity to temperature changes with tooth colored restorations because less tooth is removed and the bonding technology helps seal the tooth.
Since the resin used in tooth colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!
The result is a beautiful smile!
Replacing Silver fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration
You can have your silver fillings replaced with lab processed, tooth colored restorations. This is necessary if there is a lack of remaining tooth to adequately hold a filling. Lab processed restorations can restore the contours and shape to teeth better than a one visit, directly placed fillings. This process requires two appointments.
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