Replacing Metal Fillings
Serving Patients from Medford, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Yreka and Central Point
For many years, dental patients were told that porcelain fillings were only available for cosmetic purposes and that amalgam and other metal fillings were the best option in terms of strength and overall function. This widely-held belief among dental professionals has lost its hold in recent years. Advances in ceramics, dental adhesion, and other dental materials technology have made porcelain the material of choice for most filling applications.
Many dental patients who have had metal fillings in the past are now getting those fillings replaced with porcelain. Not only does this make aesthetic sense, it now makes functional sense as well. Here are some reasons why you should consider replacing your metal fillings.
- Aesthetics - This should be obvious. A porcelain filling can be matched to the color of your teeth, rendering it virtually invisible. This is something that has never been possible with amalgam. If a mouthful of metal restorations is keeping you from smiling with confidence, then you have a good reason to consider replacing them.
- Porcelain is resistant to expansion and contraction - Metal will expand and contract due to temperature changes. This will eventually cause the tooth to weaken and possibly crack. All aesthetic considerations aside, an ideal filling material should not pose a risk of causing further damage to the tooth it is meant to repair. You should consider replacing your metal fillings with porcelain for this reason alone.
- Porcelain can actually strengthen the tooth - Metal fillings require that a larger portion of the natural tooth be removed, which weakens the tooth. Once this natural tooth material is removed, metal filling material is simply packed into the cavity. Porcelain not only allows for less natural tooth removal, it also is bonded to the tooth, actually strengthening the tooth structure. In many cases, a tooth with a porcelain filling is made stronger than one without.
- Porcelain will prevent further decay - Because metal fillings are not bonded to the tooth, decay may occur between the metal and the natural tooth. This, added to the problem of expansion and contraction, can lead to further decay and weakening of the tooth.
- No risk of exposure to toxic materials - Many metal fillings contain some amount of mercury - a known toxic substance. Some estimates have stated that an individual with these fillings is exposed to 3 to 4 times the amount of mercury than a person without.
If you live in Southern Oregon and would like to have your old metal fillings replaced with porcelain fillings, please contact us today to arrange an appointment.
800.899.6990
Contact Us
Eagle Point Dental Center for Advanced Dentistry
217 W. Main St
Eagle Point, OR 97524
