A filling replaces and restores your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture with a material. We will replace old, broken-down amalgam/metal fillings that contain traces of mercury with white fillings (composites) to restore your smile and teeth to a more natural look and feel.

With today’s advancements, no longer will you have to suffer the embarrassment of unsightly silver/mercury fillings or metal margins of the past. Eliminate the dark, black appearance in your teeth with state-of-the-art, tooth-colored resin or porcelain materials.

Comparing White Fillings to Silver Amalgam Fillings

White fillings bond to the tooth; they strengthen the tooth by restoring most of its original shape. Silver amalgams, on the other hand, weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to breaking. Broken teeth can be very expensive to replace. Therefore, white composite fillings can actually save time and money in the long run.

White filling composites are preferred by most patients. This is due to their natural color, strength and overall appearance and feel. Composites are naturally more comfortable.

In addition, hot and cold sensitivity is greatly reduced with composite material compared to the silver/mercury amalgams.

Restorations with composites require less removal of tooth structure than those with amalgam, especially with new cavities.

Composite Bonding

Bonding is a common solution for:

• Fixing or repairing chipped or cracked teeth
• Reducing unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth
• Hiding discoloration or faded areas on the tooth’s surface
• Improving the appearance of your teeth and enhancing your smile

As the name indicates, composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.

The Advantages of Composite Bonding

Composite bonding has many advantages:

It is a one-visit process, which typically takes about an hour, but can be longer if we are beautifying a number of teeth.
Most often it does not reduce the tooth’s original structure and most people find it quite affordable.
Composite veneers are beautifully matched to the natural color of your teeth.
Composite bonds, however, are not as durable and long-lasting as veneers and crowns and may need to be re-touched or replaced in the future.

However, composite bonding can stain teeth, just like enamel and therefore require proper care and regular cleaning. In order to ensure the longest possible luster and beauty of your veneers, you may wish to minimize staining elements like coffee, tea, soda and candy.

The Total Health Connection

A good looking smile is good for your psychological health and happiness.  Many people do not realize that smiling actually makes you feel happier and not just the other way around.  It turns those who are proud of your smile flash it more frequently, the activated smile muscles seem to release bursts of endorphins—the stuff that makes us feel more joyful—to the brain.