Fillings

We offer a full range of fillings options:

• white resin
• porcelain
• gold 
• silver.

Each have their own advantages and disadvantages. We typically place white resin fillings where possible. 

White Resin Fillings

White resin tooth colored fillings are usually placed in the office but can be made in a lab. These fillings are pleasing natural looking, durable and long lasting. White fillings are also bonded or “glued” to the tooth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, a conditioning gel is placed on the enamel. Next, a special liquid called bonding agent is placed on the tooth. The bonding agent allows the filling to stick to the tooth. Then, the white resin filling is placed and is cured hard with a bright blue light. Finally, the filling is finished and polished.

Advantages:

• Natural appearance
• Durable

• One Visit 
• Repairable

Disadvantages:

• Weak if placed into large cavity preparations
• Can stain along the filling edges
• Not as strong as porcelain

Inlays and Onlays

Lab manufactured white fillings are called inlays or onlays. Inlays are within in the tooth and onlays cover over part of the chewing surface. This process requires two appointments. After the fillings is made at the lab, it is bonded to the tooth and polished. Your tooth will look natural, feel natural and be stronger than before.

Inlay and onlay fillings can be made out of white resin or porcelain. Some teeth have weaker tooth structure from years of use. For these teeth we recommend Porcelain inlays and onlays . These fillings create beautiful (or unnoticeable) restorations and also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

Porcelain Vs. Resin

• Porcelain is stronger
• Porcelain appears more natural
• Porcelain is can be difficult to repair

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are the standard by which dentists measure the success of a filling material. Gold fillings are the longest lasting and strongest of our filling materials. Gold fillings are cast out of hot molten gold to fit your tooth. They are cemented in place and polished.

Advantages

• Strong
• Long Lasting

Disadvantages

• Not esthetic
• Difficult to repair

Silver Fillings

Silver fillings are still a sound choice for fillings. When the tooth has been prepared correctly, silver fillings are a long lasting and less expensive choice. Though they contain mercury, these fillings are the most widely utilized fillings in the world. They are easy to place and can be used where a tooth cannot be kept completely dry.

Advantages

• Cost – least expensive
• Placed where white fillings cannot be in moist situations
• Very durable

Disadvantages

• Requires removal of more tooth to place
• Not esthetic
• 50% mercury
• Leak and Corrode
• Stains teeth and gums.

Replacing Silver Fillings

Replacing silver fillings with other types of restorations is only necessary where the silver filling has failed, has become decayed or is not pleasing to the patient. We do not promote removal of sound silver fillings unless you expressly desire this service.