What's wrong with my old metal fillings?

In recent years, dentists have learned that the silver-mercury fillings in your mouth act much like metal does outside your mouth, When exposed to heat and cold, such as hot coffee or ice cream, the silver-mercury fillings in your teeth expand and contract. As they shift, they eventually weaken the teeth they were meant to protect and may even cause the tooth to crack.

This movement also creates space between the filling and the tooth, allowing harmful bacteria to get in under the filling, causing decay. In fact, Dr. Hamaty rarely removes a silver-mercury filling without finding additional decay underneath.

What will you use to fill my cavity?

If your cavity is small and caught early, chances are Dr. Hamaty will use a tooth-colored composite resin to restore the tooth. This composite is stronger and lasts longer than silver-mercury fillings and is far more attractive.

If the cavity is large or if Dr. Hamaty replaces older fillings, he will use on inlay or onlay to restore the health and function of the tooth.

Why would I want an Inlay or onlay instead of a metal filling?

An inlay or onlay is a much more conservative restoration for the tooth than a larger metal filling. While traditional metal fillings can reduce tooth strength by up to 50%. inlays and onlays can actually increase tooth strength by up to 75% lasting for a long time.

What is an inlay?

Inlays, similar to a filling, are used inside the cusp tips of a tooth. Inlays are created out of fired porcelain, allowing Dr. Hamaty to match the color of your natural tooth, making the restoration invisible to the naked eye.

Much like a crown, Dr. Hamaty will create a temporary inlay for your tooth, take an impression and send the model to a lab for the porcelain restoration. The final Inlay will then be bonded to the tooth and polished.

What is an onlay?

Like inlays, onlays are made of fired porcelain. However, onlays are a more substantial reconstruction. extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Where a crown may have been necessary, an onlay can often be used to repair the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact. Onlays are also made in the lab and require a return visit for bonding and polishing,

Should I replace my metal crowns?

If your metal-based crowns don't look natural and leave a bluish line near your gums, we're not surprised, Metal-lined crowns reflect light, leaving teeth looking flat and unattractive. Dr. Hamaty uses full porcelain crowns, which absorb the light and look exceptionally natural.

Veneers | Dental Implant | Tooth Whitening | Bridges | Crowns | Inlay/Onlay | Metal Free Dentistry | Invisalign® | Lumineers | Zoom!