Learn more about our filling options
The benefits of porcelain fillings and tooth colored fillings include:
They are more seamless and invisible, and do not look dark and unappealing like metal fillings
Porcelain and composite fillings can match the color of your teeth
No mercury (a toxic substance) as with metal fillings
Will not crack your natural teeth like mercury based fillings
Our Roseville cosmetic dentists choose to use porcelain fillings instead of the metal amalgam fillings (although we will replace them by request) that have been used for many years in the past. This decision is based on a variety of different factors. Porcelain fillings have proven to be stronger and more effective than their metal counterparts, and the end result is more appealing. Patients no longer have to deal with the unsightly dark fillings in their mouth, since the new porcelain fillings can be matched to the natural color of your teeth. Metal fillings have been found to contain up to 50 % mercury, and for safety reasons, we choose to avoid the potential risks for our patients. Talk to our cosmetic dentists about replacing any problematic old metal fillings with a new, more durable porcelain filling.
Contact us today for a porcelain tooth colored fillings consultation with Dr. Kwan or Dr. Hsu to discuss any problematic fillings that may need to be replaced. Our cosmetic dentists proudly serve patients from Roseville, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.
Research has found that the silver composite fillings that have been used for years contain about 50% mercury, which is a very toxic substance and has been linked to many different types of cancers. Some experts claim that this mercury can emit toxins that can cause harm to the body. So far, no case has been directly linked to these amalgam fillings, but the risk is still there. Most cosmetic dentists suggest removing the metal fillings when necessary, and replacing them with the porcelain fillings.
Actually, porcelain fillings are stronger and last longer than the silver amalgam fillings, and will not cause micro cracks to natural teeth.
Composite fillings are made of a hard resin that can last two to five years and can be set in one appointment. Porcelain fillings use a custom laboratory created porcelain that can last up to fifteen years, however porcelain fillings require two appointments and are generally more expensive than composite, tooth colored fillings. Dr. Kwan and Dr. Hsu prefer to use porcelain fillings because of the greater quality and longevity of the filling.
With today’s technology, porcelain fillings can be matched to the color of the tooth in which it is placed. Therefore, replacing the unsightly dark, metal fillings with porcelain filling that is more natural looking, makes the end product virtually indistinguishable from normal teeth.
Sometimes, in restorative dentistry, the actual restoration is too large for a filling, but too small for a crown. These inlay/onlay procedures are specifically performed to repair teeth in the back of the mouth. Tooth colored materials are made to fit your tooth exactly, and are then firmly bonded to your own tooth. Their purpose is to restore the strength of the tooth. Using a filling when an inlay/onlay is required can result in substantial problems in the future-such as a fractured tooth, root canal or tooth loss.
For a variety of reasons, our doctors have chosen not to use silver amalgam fillings. Therefore, we perform “metal free dentistry” and choose to only use porcelain or composite fillings.
If you are experiencing sensitivity in any of your teeth, you may be having a problem with an old metal filling that needs to be replaced. Generally, most dentists do not like to replace fillings until necessary, but many people are either experiencing some discomfort or are bothered by the unsightly cosmetic appearance of old metal fillings.
Whatever the reason, rest assured that today’s technology offers new porcelain or tooth colored fillings that can be matched to the color of you tooth, for a seamless restoration. If the tooth is unstable or the cavity is too large to replace with a filling, a porcelain inlay/onlay can be prepared to maintain the integrity of the tooth.
