Using Silver Fillings or White Fillings

Almost everyone needs fillings in their teeth at some point, and today you have choices when it comes to the material used to create your fillings. Our Torrance dentist will discuss the possibilities with you and help you choose the right material for your fillings based on your needs.

Dental fillings are made of a variety of materials, but they all serve one purpose: to protect the interior, soft portion of your tooth if it has been breached by decay. Our dentist will drill the tooth to widen the opening just a bit, then insert a material which will close the hole and prevent further decay from advancing into the root of the tooth.

You have two primary choices when it comes to fillings: silver amalgam or tooth-colored material. Silver is stronger and is often used for back teeth due to its durability, and is less expensive than other material. However, silver can contain mercury and has been linked to leaching of mercury into the bloodstream, which can be toxic. Tooth-colored amalgam contains glass and plastic particles for durability, and there is no danger of toxicity from these fillings. However, they are more expensive and not as durable as silver.

Some fillings require more extensive root canal treatment. Root canals are procedures performed to clean out the root of the tooth when it has been compromised. Root canal patients are not always ideal candidates for choice in the matter of fillings.

If you have incipient or active periodontal disease, you may also be limited in choice. Gum disease can weaken the structure of teeth, requiring harder substances to fill them.

Our Torrance cosmetic dentist has access to a wide variety of skills and materials to perform all your dental work safely, conveniently, and painlessly. Talk with our dentist to learn more about your filling options.

Source: Torrance Dentist

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