Restorations

For years, silver-colored amalgam fillings have been the standard in care for minor areas of decay, chips, and cracks. However, in addition to their less than appealing appearance, amalgams lead to several oral health issues. Most importantly, filling a tooth with amalgam requires the removal of healthy dental structure to create wedges that keep the restoration in place. Additionally, amalgam fillings expand and contract at a different rate than tooth enamel, and this may lead to additional damage, create a space between the tooth and filling allowing bacteria to access the tooth or the filling may break away from the tooth altogether.

Composite resin fillings offer a superior alternative in most cases. The material can be shaded to blend seamlessly into a patient’s smile. Thus, these fillings are often referred to as tooth-colored fillings. The material is applied directly to damaged teeth where it can bond directly with porous tooth enamel, filling in the smallest grooves and cracks. This means we’re able to preserve the more healthy dental structure, and the filling material creates a stronger bond with the tooth, making it less likely that the filling will crack chip or breakaway overtime. The entire process is completed in just one appointment and requires only minimal, local anesthesia.