Metal Free Restorations (Fillings)

If you’ve gone to the dentist on a regular basis for most of your life, you probably think you’ve got good dental health.

But not if you’re like many people with a mouth full of metal. Metal amalgam fillings, accurately called mercury fillings because they contain over 50% mercury, are not only unattractive; they often damage the teeth they were meant to protect.

Mercury fillings do not bond to teeth. They simply fill up space. They do not add strength to teeth. In fact, mercury fillings tend to crack teeth and make them more fragile.

More importantly, mercury fillings expand and contract twice as much as natural tooth structure when exposed to heat or cold. Therefore, when temperatures rise, the filling expands and pushes outward on the tooth. When temperatures fall, the filling contracts and gaps form between the filling and the tooth. Gaps allow cavity causing bacteria to get in under the filling.

From the instant a mercury filling is placed in the mouth, mercury, silver, copper, tin and zinc continuously leech out. The mercury primarily vaporizes while the other metals primarily corrode. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to living organisms. While this might prevent the occurrence of bacterial decay (cavities) during the first few years that the filling is in service, one can’t help but wonder if the vaporization and corrosion of toxic heavy metals might be unhealthy. Studies have consistently shown that people with more mercury fillings have higher levels of mercury in their brains and other organs. A definite effect of the corrosion that occurs is that it builds up and puts outward pressure on the surrounding tooth structure, contributing to the creation of cracks and gaps that eventually lead to decay.

Metal-free restorations, most notably porcelain, are safer and stronger, plus they look great! And in addition to looking natural, they actually strengthen teeth for a comfortable, long lasting fit while improving the health of your smile.

MERCURY FACTS: http://www.movies.commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury

Tooth-colored Composite Fillings

Tooth-colored composite resin is the best material to use when a cavity is small. Unlike mercury fillings which rely on bulk for strength, composite resin fillings are extremely conservative in that they do not require the removal of any healthy tooth structure. Also in contrast to mercury fillings which just fill space and corrode, composite resin fillings are bonded so they seal and actually strengthen teeth. And they’re made quickly in only one visit.

Tooth-Colored All-Porcelain Restorations

Porcelain is the material of choice for restoring medium and larger sized cavities, replacing old failing fillings and strengthening fractured teeth. A porcelain restoration is custom made outside the mouth to form an inlay, onlay, partial or full veneer crown or bridge. The extent of the restoration depends on what part of the tooth is missing and needs to be replaced; similar to fitting a piece into a jigsaw puzzle. A porcelain restoration bonded to the remaining healthy tooth structure seals and strengthens the tooth even more than a composite resin filling.

Porcelain expands and contracts virtually the same as natural tooth structure does, making it the most tooth-compatible restorative material, with the most durable bond to tooth structure. Missing teeth can even be replaced with high-strength all-porcelain bridges for unparalleled natural beauty.

Restorations made entirely of porcelain have completely natural optical qualities. No metal means light can pass through the entire restoration just like a natural tooth, and there is no metal to darken the root or gum line.

CEREC CAD-CAM technology allows Doctor Westman to make precision-fit, high-strength, long-lasting all-porcelain restorations in just one visit. (CEREC CAD-CAM Technology)