Restorations

What is dental amalgam?
Most people recognize dental amalgams as silver fillings. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. Mercury makes up about 45-50 percent of the compound. Mercury is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard durable filling. After years of research, mercury has been found to be the only element that will bind these metals together in such a way that can be easily manipulated into a tooth cavity.

Is mercury in dental amalgam safe?
Mercury in dental amalgam is not poisonous. When mercury is combined with other materials in dental amalgam, its chemical nature changes, so it is essentially harmless. The amount released in the mouth under the pressure of chewing and grinding is extremely small and no cause for alarm.

Why do dentists use dental amalgams?
Dental amalgam has withstood the test of time, which is why it is still in use. It has a 150-year proven track record and is still one of the safest, durable and least expensive materials to fill a cavity. It is estimated that more than 1 billion amalgam restorations (fillings) are placed annually.

What about patients allergic to mercury?
The incidence of allergy to mercury is less than one percent of the population. People suspected of having an allergy to mercury should receive tests by qualified physicians, and, when necessary, seek appropriate alternatives. Should patients have amalgams removed? No. To do so, without need, would result in unnecessary expense, and potential injury to teeth.

What is a composite resin (white filling)?
A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide). Composites are not only used to restore decayed areas, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

The main advantage of composite resin is its appearance. It matches the color of the natural tooth and it can be bonded to the existing tooth.

The disadvantage of composite resin is that, on the front teeth, it does have to be replaced after several years because of color changes that occur from coffee, tea or red wine.

When one is having a tooth restored (filled), there are many materials or methods that can be used to restore the tooth.
These are:

• Composite resin fillings
• Amalgam fillings
• Full coverage restorations such as crowns
• Inlays (Gold or Porcelain)
• Onlays (Gold or Porcelain)

When a tooth is filled with resin or amalgam, it is filled directly at one sitting in the dental office. An inlay or onlay requires two visits. The first visit involves preparation of the tooth after which an impression would be taken. On the subsequent appointment, the fabricated inlay or onlay will be inserted. The difference between an inlay or onlay is the way in which the preparation is made on the tooth. They are both inserted in the same manner though, as a single unit restoration.

The advantages of inlays or onlays are:

• Strength of the restoration
• Enhanced aesthetics
• Longevity of the restoration