Fillings
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your health. Before placement, any decay must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be matched to your natural teeth.
Amalgam
Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the stronger of the two materials and commonly thought of as more durable. Usually used for posterior teeth with cavities that are beneath the gum, amalgam fillings can withstand being placed below the gum. Despite the small mercury content, these silver fillings are perfectly safe to be placed.
Composite Resin
Since the color of a composite resin filling can be matched to your existing teeth, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. Composite is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a slight gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Newer composites are nearly as strong as amalgam but they do require more stages when placing the filling. Composites cannot be placed in cavities which are below the gum as the cavity needs to stay dry in order for the composite to bond to the tooth and create a seal.