Restorative Dentistry
Unhappy with your silver/amalgam fillings? Tooth colored restorations have come a long way since their induction into dentistry.
Amalgam vs. Composite Restorations
There is a long standing debate around the use of silver fillings or dental amalgams to fill cavities. At our office, when indicated, we prefer to use composite resin fillings. Composite resin actually bonds to your tooth structure, protecting against decay and adding strength to the tooth. Once bonded, the filling won’t wear down or change its shape, despite the incredible forces of biting and chewing. Since there’s no cracking or shifting involved, there’s no ‘place of entry’ for bacteria. In addition to these functional reasons, we appreciate the esthetic value of composite resins, allowing us to match your normal enamel color so closely that your dental work will be nearly invisible. So, all things considered, we find white fillings to be the most conservative, durable, and attractive!
By contrast, dental amalgams do not bond to the tooth; they form a mechanical barrier to decay, however amalgam restorations do shrink with time, and allow a small margin for decay to begin, the filling may not ‘fill’ the cavity any longer. Thus, over time, the amalgam-treated tooth may weaken, often creating a liability to your long-term dental health. However, there are times when an amalgam filling is the only option, but that is not usually the case.
Call us at 907-345-7722 to schedule an appointment!