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The only
fillings we place are tooth-colored composite bonding fillings. In our
office we have done away with silver (also known as amalgam) fillings a long
time ago. The main reason many dentists still use silver (or mercury)
fillings nowadays is because they are cheap, easy to place and are
considered long-lasting (according to ADA survey done in 2000). |
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Before |
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After |
We prefer only
tooth-colored fillings for the following reasons:
- Silver fillings are very un-cosmetic looking and
because of corrosion they typically turn dark with time
- They can also darken and stain neighboring teeth
and even the gums around (known as "amalgam tattoo")
- Amalgam fillings can in time actually fracture
the tooth from the inside, as if splitting the wood with wedges
- Amalgam filling material usually has 50% mercury
as its constituent (a potential health-hazard)
- Nowadays there are definitely more
natural-looking and environmentally safer products to use
We offer you an advantage of
fiber-optic and intra-oral video diagnostic examination. These tools allow us to
demonstrate which of your old amalgam fillings are failing and need to be
replaced as soon as possible in order to prevent potential fracture of the tooth
or even loss of the tooth.
When you need a filling -
whether its because you have a cavity or desire to replace an old silver filling
- we will undoubtedly choose a proper composite filling material for you. The
choice usually depends on which tooth (front or back) needs to be restored and
on the size and type of the filling being done.
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