Fillings
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your health. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.
Before any restoration is placed, all of the tooth decay must be removed to ensure a long-lasting treatment that can restore your tooth to optimum health. Fillings can last many years, and, as with all dental work, proper brushing and flossing will add to the life span of your tooth.
Amalgam
For years amalgam (silver) fillings were the best choice in restoration material. What it lacked in esthetic capability, it was balanced by strength, longevity, and the ability to withstand our difficult oral environment.
Our office has chosen to no longer place amalgam fillings. The concern over mercury contamination has enhanced the development of mercury-free restorations(composites), and now the ADA has ordered that dental offices have amalgam separators, which are used to prevent our water table contamination when old amalgams are removed.
Composite Resin
Over the past 25 years, composite (tooth-colored) restorations have undergone many modifications to withstand and hold up under harsh oral conditions. They are now as strong and dependable as amalgam, and can meet and exceed the esthetic demands of our modern society.
Composite restorations are bonded to the healthy natural tooth surface, helping to seal the material. restoring your teeth to their original beauty. They can also be used to correct chipped teeth, minor discolorations, reshape misaligned teeth, and restore wear and abrasion along the gum line.