Tooth Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are beautiful and unnoticeable and 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 allows for leakage around the filling and subsequent cavities. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands and contracts and can split the tooth.

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

Fortunately, most silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations, though we only recommend replacement when the original filling is failing or if there is a new cavity in the tooth. Both Dr. Foley and Dr. Jacobson will work with you to choose the best treatment for you and the condition of your teeth.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

Sometimes the resin used in tooth-colored restorations can contain fluoride, which can help prevent decay. The resin wears down at the same rate as natural teeth, so it does not do any undue harm or stress to adjacent or opposing teeth.

The result is a beautiful smile!

Replacing Silver Fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration

Many times we can remove old silver fillings and replace with a very durable tooth colored composite material.  If the silver filling is large or there is decay present we may need to look at other options such as onlays or crowns. We always remove silver fillings with high-volume suction nearby to capture metallic pieces and debris as it is removed. There is no health danger to the patient as old silver fillings are removed.

You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings or with porcelain. Procedures with porcelain typically require two appointments, but fillings generally only require one appointment for completion.