Tooth-Colored Fillings

Black mercury fillings are simply substandard care for any patient. Most patients prefer the advances in Tooth colored fillings. While aesthetically, tooth colored fillings are undisputedly superior, the health benefits of this type of restoration far exceeds the alternative of amalgam fillings. Amalgam or mercury fillings expand and contract with heat and cold. This causes cracks and fractures in teeth over time. As the metal filling shrinks, it pulls away from tooth causing micro-leakage of bacteria to get in between the tooth and filling where a patient cannot normally clean. This is where decay can be hard to detect and festers under the existing filling that is failing to do it's job. Tooth colored fillings expand and contract much less than amalgam, reducing the possibility of fractures within the tooth that cannot be seen visually. When there is any kind of leakage it is easier to see on radiographs and visually around the tooth colored restoration.

You are a candidate for tooth colored fillings if:

• After decay is removed the remaining tooth structure is sufficient
• You prefer a more aesthetic option
• You want to prevent cracked tooth syndrome and destruction caused by amalgam
• Believe you have a sensitivity to mercury

Before Fillings

After Fillings

Porcelain Onlays and Inlays are a stronger and longer lasting option when a tooth colored filling isn't strong enough to restore the tooth. Fabricated with slow release fluoride, these restorations will protect you by continually strengthening the tooth from the inside out. They are specially fabricated porcelain onlays that conserve the surrounding healthy tooth and bone. This technique sensitive restoration is simply the best in many circumstances. Because a porcelain onlay is made of stronger, bio-esthetic material, it will last longer than any filling without irritation to your gum tissue. The bonding process of an onlay restores a tooth to 80% of its natural chewing strength!

You are a candidate for porcelain onlays/inlays if:

• One third or more of your tooth is filling material
• If a cusp of your tooth needs to be supported
• If you desire a more conservative restoration than a traditional crown
• You want a longer lasting restoration than a tooth colored filling

Click here for more information on Tooth Colored Fillings and Porcelain Onlays.

Before Onlays

After Onlays