Blog
03/10/2017
There was a time when amalgam was the standard filling material in virtually every dental office. Few alternatives existed, and few people were concerned with the biocompatibility or appearance of so-called silver fillings.
With advances in dentistry, and advances in scientific knowledge, that situation has changed dramatically. Today's savvy dental patients seek mercury-free restorations, from Alpha Plus Dental Center in Brookline. Why? Here are the top five reasons:
- Silver fillings aren't silver – The common name for amalgam is misleading. The formula is actually a metal alloy containing very little silver. It is about half mercury along with small amounts of several other metals.
- Make cavities disappear – You don't want to see a cavity when you look in the mirror, but you don't want to see a silver spot either. Our carefully crafted aesthetic restorations blend flawlessly with your tooth enamel, for a natural appearance.
- Preserve healthy tooth structure – Composite fillings are highly customizable, requiring less aggressive tooth preparation. That means less drilling, and more of your tooth left intact.
- Minimize risk of tooth damage – Amalgam expands and contracts with temperature change at a faster rate than tooth enamel does. The stress may lead to micro-fracturing of the treated tooth, or premature failure of the filling.
- Minimize risk of allergy – Metal allergies and sensitivities are quite common, leading many people to avoid amalgam. We use composite resin filling material and porcelain restorations, both of which are beautiful and biocompatible.