The days when cavities could only be filled with unattractive amalgam fillings are over. The miracle of adhesive dentistry allows us to replace dark, leaking, and unsightly fillings with space-aged, state-of-the-art tooth-colored resin (or porcelain) adhesive restorations. Not only are these restorations natural looking, they are stronger and healthier for your mouth.
There has been a lot written and said in the past few years about amalgam fillings (also called silver or mercury fillings). Our office does not believe amalgam to be unsafe, but we do believe it's unattractive. Many people look in the mirror and wish they didn't see those ugly, blackened, metal fillings in their back teeth. Even though they may be in the back, they still darken an otherwise nice smile. Now, with metal free dentistry, it is so simple to return your teeth to their natural appearance in just one visit.
In order to prepare for the tooth-colored fillings, the decayed portions of your teeth have to be removed (using the Waterlase dental laser). Because tooth-colored fillings are bonded directly to the teeth, they allow for more of the healthy tooth structure to stay intact. Once the tooth is prepared, the tooth-colored fillings are placed onto the teeth in layers and hardened with a special light. The tooth-colored fillings are then shaped to match the contours of your teeth and polished.
Teeth that are badly decayed, broken, or have previously had a root canal often need to be restored using a life-like porcelain crown. The crowns cover the entire tooth and protect weak teeth from fracturing in the future by binding all of the parts of the tooth together.
Besides the obvious aesthetic advantages offered by metal-free dentistry, there are also several health benefits. Tooth-colored fillings will last for years and will actually strengthen teeth when used to replace corroded metal fillings. Because tooth-colored fillings bond to the tooth, they help prevent future breaks or fractures and also help avoid decay. If your tooth-colored fillings do become damaged or your tooth requires additional work, the fillings can be easily replaced or repaired. Metal-free dentistry, including tooth-colored fillings, provides a healthy, functional smile without compromising aesthetics. If you want to learn more about tooth-colored fillings, laser dentistry, or metal-free dentistry, please contact us today.
