Dental Fillings

Sometimes your dental visit to receive a filling will require more than one appointment. When that happens, your dentist will fit you with a temporary filling so that your teeth will not shift and your bite will not be affected while you wait for your... Full Answer

Absolutely! Your dentist can provide you with information for improving your oral health and maintaining a good oral health routine. Your dentist can also answer any questions. Through regular exams your dentist will know you and your mouth and best be... Full Answer

This is the most common type of dental filling. Also known as metal or amalgam fillings, these fillings have been used by dentists for more than a century and is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is... Full Answer

Silver fillings are highly resistant to wear and highly effective. It is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. Because amalgam fillings can withstand very high chewing loads, they are... Full Answer

As hard and permanent as fillings appear on the outside, there is always the chance that the filling will crack, leak or fall out. The average amalgam filling lasts around 12 years; composite fillings last less than 12 years. Most people don't know if... Full Answer

Here are some ways you can protect yourself from mercury when having amalgam fillings removed: Your dentist should always use a proper isolation technique with a dental rubber dam to minimize exposure to mercury contact and/or swallowing amalgam debris.... Full Answer

A dental filling (also called a dental restoration) may last many years before it needs to be replaced. However, there are a number of reasons that fillings may need to be replaced. Constant stress from chewing, grinding and clenching teeth may... Full Answer

Your dentist may use porcelain for larger fillings or an inlay, a filling on the surface of the tooth. Porcelain inlays generally look better and often last longer than regular fillings. Your dentist may also use porcelain fillings because they... Full Answer

There are several alternatives to getting a silver dental filling, also known as an amalgam filling. Silver dental fillings are one of the most popular types of fillings because of their durability and lower cost. The material is a combination of several... Full Answer

Composite resins are tooth-colored, plastic materials (made of glass and resin) that are used both as fillings and to repair defects in the teeth. Because they are tooth-colored, it is difficult to distinguish them from natural teeth. Composites are... Full Answer