Dental Implants
Click Here!
For decades, fillings were made of amalgam, a combination of metals that included silver, tin, copper, and often—mercury. Thankfully, dentistry has continued to evolve, meaning Dr. Gandhi no longer has to use this substance to repair damaged teeth, but can instead provide mercury-free fillings that better serve you, your smile, and the environment. Whether you have a small cavity that needs repair or you’re thinking about updating your current fillings, give us a call today to learn more.
So why do we not use amalgam fillings? Firstly, to place a metal filling, quite a bit of the enamel has to be removed. This is because the filling doesn’t actually bond with the tooth, but rather has to sit inside a “pocket” created by the dentist. Your enamel is precious and can’t grow back, so having an alternative that allows us to preserve it (and its strength) is always preferable.
Also, mercury-free fillings are made of a tooth-colored composite resin, meaning the final restoration blends seamlessly into the smile and doesn’t stick out when you chew or speak. On top of this, mercury-free fillings don’t expand and contract in response to temperature changes like metal ones. This prevents sensitivity as well as reduces the risk of the filling weakening and cracking over time.
Thankfully, if you’ve ever gotten a filling before, the procedure for a mercury-free filling will be very familiar. Firstly, Dr. Gandhi will examine the tooth to assess whatever damage it might have, and she’ll remove the broken or decayed enamel (after you’ve been numbed!).
She’ll then apply the color-matched composite resin to fill in the space, shape and refine it, and then harden it with a special light. After checking your bite and smoothing it out, you’re all done!
If you’re having your amalgam fillings replaced, Dr. Gandhi and our team will follow a strict protocol to ensure that you and our team aren’t exposed to mercury-laden vapor during the treatment. We’ll also dispose of the fillings in a way to make sure they don’t end up contaminating the local environment.
Fortunately, the recovery after getting a mercury-free filling is minimal. Your tooth might feel a little sensitive for a few days, but this should go away on its own quickly. After that, all you need to do is brush and floss daily as well as attend your routine checkups with Dr. Gandhi semi-annually to make sure that your filling (and the rest of your teeth) stays in great shape.