TREATMENTS

Fillings and Restorations

MINT DENTISTRY is a mercury-free practice. Virtually every dental study over the last ten years has shown that  Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) are superior to mercury-silver fillings for a number of reasons: Tooth colored composite fillings are stronger and healthier; the tooth colored material is metal free and made from plastic resin; the fillings are very durable, tissue compatible, kind to the opposing teeth, and stain resistant; tooth colored fillings allow us to preserve the greatest amount of natural tooth enamel, and most important, they are made from inert non-toxic ingredients. MINT creates fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!

The result is a beautiful smile!

Replacing Silver Fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration

It is your decision whether or not to replace any old mercury-silver fillings, but here are the facts: Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums. Even worse, they  wear down, become weak or break.  We now know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. This can even lead to a root canal.

You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations (onlays). This process requires two appointments.

Your First Appointment:

  • The old filling is removed along with any additional decay.
  • An impression is made of your teeth. A model of your teeth is made and sent to the lab.
  • A temporary onlay is placed on the tooth.

At the dental lab, a meticulously designed resin to look completely natural is carefully placed into the model of your teeth. Only a dentist will be able to tell you have a filling.

Your Second Appointment:

  • The temporary onlay is removed.
  • A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new onlay.
  • Bonding cement is placed on the tooth and a high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
  • The tooth is then polished.

Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!