Fillings

A dental restoration or dental filling is a dental restorative material used artificially to restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss typically results from caries (decay) or external trauma.  Dental restorations may be fabricated out of a variety of materials:

Dental Composites

Dental composites are also called white fillings. Crowns and in-lays can also be made in the laboratory from dental composites. These materials are cured plastics and are tooth colored. Their strength and durability has become very close to natural tooth structure but is not as strong as porcelain or metal restorations and they are more prone to wear and discoloration over time. Since the resin used in some tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. There have been huge improvements in these composite fillings over the last 10 years and have become the main material used for restoring small defects and cavities in teeth. They bond to the tooth and we have seen a huge reduction in fractured teeth and a reduction in the need for aggressive build-ups due to the bonding capabilities of composites. The types of composites available today can create very life-like translucencies and shades that match the natural surrounding teeth. They have become more durable and more resistant to stain and discoloration than ever before.

Dental Amalgam (Silver Fillings)

Dental Amalgam is rarely used today and is an older style dental filling material that has been around for over 150 years. It is a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal.  Amalgam has some advantages such as low cost, strength, durability, and bacteriostatic effects. There are many concerns with Amalgam due to expansion and no bond to tooth, over time we see teeth cracking, fillings cracking and leakage in between the filling and the tooth. This results in the tooth not being protected and creates an environment where cavities get started once again.  With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split.

Amalgam containing Mercury also has much controversy as mercury in the free form is a toxin. Silver fillings contain in some cases 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak, and cause stains on your teeth and gums. The studies specifically from The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs are inconclusive as to the health risks, so we do not routinely recommend patients take out all of their silver fillings unless there is failure noted. If ever a patient is concerned about the health of having silver fillings we will replace them at patient’s request.

There are many circumstances in which composite fillings (white fillings) serve better than amalgam; when amalgam is not indicated, or when a more conservative preparation would be beneficial, composite is the recommended restorative material. These situations would include esthetic areas, small occlusal restorations, in which amalgam would require the removal of a more unnecessary solid tooth structure.

Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations.

Many people still have very large 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 larger filling replacements that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable), but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are aesthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.