Alternatives to Amalgam Dental Fillings
Amalgam or "silver" fillings have been used for more than 150 years to restore teeth after a cavity is removed. Although safe, some patients do not care for the mixture of metals it contains--silver, copper, tin and mercury. For those wanting to avoid amalgam, there are other dental restorations available.
Glass and Resin Ionomers
Fillings that are complete in one dental office visit are "direct" restorations. Glass and resin ionomers are two examples. These tooth-colored fillings are made of a mix of glass powder and acrylic. Because glass fractures easily, application between teeth or at the roots is best. Resin ionomers also contain acrylic resin. Less tooth structure is ground because the filing material is finer than amalgam.
Resin Composites
Resin composites (direct) are also called "filled resins" or "composites." They are composed of a mixture of glass or quartz in a resin medium. Like ionomers, they are tooth-colored but are subject to discoloration over time. Composites can be adhesively "bonded" to a cavity, effectively producing a smaller filling.
Crowns, Inlays and Outlays
Restorations requiring more than one visit to the dentist for completion are "indirect." Crowns, inlays and outlays are all indirect procedures. A crown covers the entire tooth, an inlay bonds inside the cusps,and an outlay covers more surface than an inlay (but not as much as a crown.) Once the site is prepared, you will bite into a gel that will harden and make a mold of your teeth. This impression goes to a dental lab that creates the crown, inlay or outlay. Your second appointment is when the dentist cements the tooth and makes bite adjustments.
Gold Alloys
Gold alloys (indirect) do not look like natural teeth but are a very strong filling alternative to amalgam. Made from a mixture of gold, copper and other metals, they are resistant to tarnishing and wear. Preparing the tooth for a gold alloy filling lets the dentist remove the least amount of healthy tooth to accommodate the restoration.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers (indirect) are wafer thin shells that cover damaged tooth enamel or misaligned teeth. Although more expensive, they are a popular cosmetic choice because the ceramic looks natural. When the shell bonds properly to the tooth underneath and the veneer is adequately thick, the veneers will last a long time.
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