Mercury Free White Fillings

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 split or cause fractures internally in the tooth structure resulting in a broken tooth.

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

Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with Tooth Colored Restorations. The use of a protective device called a rubber dam provides a barrier to allow for a clean and neat environment in which we can complete the needed dental restoration. At the same time it prevents the patient from swallowing any old restorative debris, especially silver mercury fillings.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

There are many advantages to tooth colored restorations. Composites, quartz reinforced resins, are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where minimal tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

The result is a beautiful natural looking smile!!

Replacing Silver fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration

You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth colored ceramic restorations (onlays). An onlay is a ceramic puzzle piece or partial crown which allows us to restore or replace only destroyed or broken down tooth structure. This preserves and reinforces the remaining tooth structure. This process requires two appointments.

Your First Appointment:

1. The old filling is removed and 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 ceramic 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 ceramic 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!