Posted: December 18, 2015
There are many reasons to replace your old amalgam fillings with tooth-colored dental fillings. Those silver cavity caps worked well for patients for decades, but they are less than aesthetically pleasing and could be hiding something sinister underneath.
Amalgam fillings can make x-rays ineffective. They don’t actually bind to your teeth. It’s easy for bacteria to build within the gap and create more issues. Tooth decay hides beneath the caps. If an X-ray can’t detect the damage, it could lead to a root canal. Replacing your amalgam fillings with tooth-colored fillings could save your teeth some unnecessary trouble.
Your old silver fillings can also lead to chipped teeth. Changing temperatures and pressure can cause a chip to grow into a crack and lead to corrosion, much like a ding in your car windshield can grow until the entire glass needs to be replaced. Some professionals believe that newer fillings help strengthen teeth over time and prevent cracking.
Old amalgam fillings contain mercury, and safety precautions should always be taken for both the patient and staff to avoid excessive mercury exposure. There are several processes by which Dr. Frank can safely replace your silver fillings. Often, he will use a combination of cutting the amalgam and suctioning the vapor and small particles. If your smile is a metallic display of dental fillings, you don’t have to replace all of them at once. Some patients prefer a one-stop replacement, but others like a gradual transition to tooth-colored fillings.
Taking care of your teeth is an important aspect of your health. Replacing your old amalgam fillings is a step in the right direction. Tooth-colored fillings not only make for better X-rays, but they allow Dr. Frank to notice trouble early on.
If you have old amalgam fillings and need them replaced by tooth-colored fillings, please contact The Practice at Maxwell Place using the form at the right side of the page, or call 201-792-9400 today. Dr. Frank DePaola serves patients in the Hoboken, Jersey City, and Hudson County, New Jersey area.
