Fillings

During the filling process, all decay will be removed and the tooth will be prepared to allow for proper placement of the filling.  We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin (otherwise known as tooth colored fillings).

Amalgam

Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings were the material of choice years ago due to it’s ease of placement and durability.  However, as technology has improved we now rarely recommend amalgam fillings as newer and better materials are available.  Despite the content of amalgam, any existing silver fillings that patients may have are perfectly safe.

Composite Resin

The color of a composite resin filling can be customized and is the most aesthetically pleasing option.  Composite resin has now become ideal for all fillings, including both front teeth and back teeth.  Because composite resin fillings are bonded to the teeth in layers, they require less removal of natural tooth structure, allowing for more conservative cavity preparations.