At Scott M. Jordan, DDS, we hesitate to recommend dental treatment unless there is a compelling reason to do so and we approach most dental care conservatively. In the case of silver amalgam fillings, some patients wish to replace them due to esthetics or because of concerns about mercury. We understand! Here are some situations where we may recommend that we replace your amalgam fillings.
Dental Restorations Break Down Over Time
Over time, most dental restorations will break down. After all, our teeth have a tough job to do! Chewing year after year and habits such as clenching and grinding your teeth can cause your restorations to break or fall out.
Sometimes secondary decay can destabilize a restoration and require treatment to protect your tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Many patients don’t like the appearance of their dark fillings and would like to replace them with tooth-colored restorations. Dr. Scott Jordan is skilled in the art of cosmetic dentistry and will be happy to explain your options to you. In some cases, we can replace silver fillings with white fillings and in other cases, your tooth may require a crown to provide the best longevity and comfort.
Concerns about Mercury in Fillings
While the American Dental Association has reported no negative consequences to the mercury in amalgam fillings, many people do not feel comfortable keeping them. If you opt to have your amalgam fillings replaced, we will use a rubber dam and suction to isolate the area so that you do not ingest the amalgam particles from your filling.
Because amalgam fillings require the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure, a crown may be a better restorative option for you. We can discuss this with you at your dental exam.
If you are looking for an Encinitas, CA dentist with experience to provide exceptional dentistry in a caring environment, give us a call today!