Natural-Looking Fillings Article

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Natural-Looking Fillings

More directly affecting dental work, metal fillings can cause discoloration to the teeth. Because they expand and contract with changes in temperature, they can also lead to cracks in the surrounding tooth, or pull away from the edges of the filled area, allowing decay to occur beneath the filling.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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For many years, the standard material for fillings has been mercury amalgam. In recent years, however, there has been much controversy about the safety and effectiveness of this material. In addition, other options have become available, making it possible for dentists to offer a choice about how your teeth can be filled.

Some dentists have chosen to remove mercury amalgam from their repertoire altogether, maintaining a metal-free practice. As an alternative for metal fillings, they use a porcelain material that is color-matched to tooth enamel. Strong and durable, these natural-looking fillings offer many advantages over traditional materials.

Benefits of Natural-looking Fillings

• Match the natural tooth enamel and so are virtually invisible
• Don’t cause heat and cold sensitivity
• Won’t change color with time or cause staining to the tooth

The presence of mercury in amalgam fillings has led some to believe they are dangerous for long-term use. While researchers have yet to come to an agreement on this issue, the controversy has led many people to have their amalgam fillings removed and replaced with porcelain. Other concerns regarding mercury in dentistry involve disposal, which can cause environmental issues.

It’s possible that eventually use of mercury amalgam will be eliminated completely from all dental practice. In the meantime, more and more dentists are choosing to practice metal-free dentistry, using natural-looking fillings and porcelain crowns instead of metal alternatives.

About Author

In the Newark, New Jersey area, G. Gary Green, DMD, maintains a metal-free practice and uses natural-looking fillings. Please visit his website for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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