Gentle Dentist: Tooth colored dental fillings: the benefits over silver mercury amalgam fillings.

April 26, 2010 by ·

For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth.   These materials contain about 50% mercury combined with silver and other metals.  The worked well but they are not only ugly and unnatural in appearance, but they have the potential of creating fractures in the teeth cause by the expansion and contraction of the mercury within the filling.  In the past the only other alternative was gold and that was too expensive for most folks.

For about the last 15 years or so there has been an economical way to beautifully restore teeth in the Shelby Township, Sterling Heights area  using tooth-colored resin fillings.  The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix which is like clay as we mold it and shape its surface.  We bond the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light.  This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.

Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Because these fillings bond to the teeth they can remain very small whereas in the past the silver-mercury fillings had to have a large hole drilled to hold the filling in place.  Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings.

Resin restorations are slightly more costly than the amalgam fillings because of the time and expertise required to place them is much greater.  The benefits of increased natural beauty and safety are worth the difference in price.  Insurance usually covers the amount that the silver amalgam filling would cost and you, the patient, are responsible for the difference.  The price range is from $150 to $350 per tooth.

Please call our Shelby Dental office at  (586.247.3500)  The Gentle Dentist to have any questions  you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Antolak, DDS graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality and appropriate cosmetic, sedation and general dentistry in the most comfortable and gentle way possible. Because being a dentist has been a lifelong dream, Dr. Antolak has a passion for the profession. He enjoys helping people feel better about their smiles and therefore their self-image with dental implant and cosmetic dentistry. His Dental Practice is located in Shelby Township, Michigan.  For more information visit The Gentle Dentist.

Filed Under: Fillings, General Dentistry, Health Implications, How to choose a dentist, Teeth Whitening, Tooth replacement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Periodontal gingival grafting procedure to cover recession

August 19, 2009 by ·

The gum tissues around teeth play an important role in the health of the mouth and teeth.  The teeth are supported into the jaw bone and are connected by very small elastic fibers that connect the teeth to the bone.  This gives the teeth ability to move slightly when loaded and also gives the nerves the ability to sense position and pressure.  The gum tissues that wrap around the bone and forms a sleeve that surrounds the neck of the tooth.  This sleeve creates an impermeable seal to keep bacteria out.  When the sleeve shrinks from recession it leaves the tooth at risk for an

  • infection
  • food impaction
  • periodontal disease
  • sensitivity to cold and hot

In this video Dr. Antolak performs a gingival graft on his mother to cover the root surface of a lower tooth that is at risk for potential problems. Similar to this photo the tissue is harvested from the hard palate and sutured to cover up the root surface and giving her a more predictable safety net for many years of service.

If you have recession, sensitivity and root exposure then this gingival surgery may be for you.  This procedure is actually safe because the graft comes directly from the patient.  There is a little discomfort on the palate, but we fabricate a very thin cover that protects the roof of the mouth where the graft is taken.  People say is feels like burning your mouth on hot cheese from pizza.  The graft usually takes around 6 weeks to heal so it is necessary to be very careful during the healing phase especially on the gum area where the graft is sutured in place.  If you have questions then give Dr. Antolak a call at (586)247-3500 or visit the web site at www.TheGentleDentist.com.

Dr. Antolak serves patients in the Shelby Twp, Macomb Twp, Rochester Hills and Sterling Heights area in a very relaxing high-tech dental office.

Filed Under: Dental Hygiene, Dental Surgery, Dental Videos, Periodontal Disease Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,