Fillings & Bondings
Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings
This is an actual case performed by Farmington Village Dental Associates.
Composite fillings (often called composites or filled resins) are a mixture of quartz or glass filler in a resin medium that makes a tooth-colored filling. The material is cured with a special light and the surface is shaped and polished, so the end result is a virtually undetectable restoration that feels natural in your mouth.
Composites are strong and durable for small-to-medium sized restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing. Because these fillings are bonded to teeth instead of mechanically held in place, the process is more conservative in relation to tooth structure and therefore more healthy natural tooth is able to remain. This results in smaller fillings.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is a process of bonding (or applying) tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface for a better shape, straighter position, and also for structural purposes. Bonding can correct and enhance the appearance of teeth that are chipped, spaced, cracked, or stained. The composite resin material used in bonding can be matched to the other healthy teeth in your mouth for an extremely natural look.
Enamel Shaping
Enamel shaping is a quick and relatively painless treatment that is often combined with cosmetic bonding. Enamel shaping involves manipulating the shape of teeth by gently contouring or removing enamel, which is the hard white substance on the outside of the exposed tooth (to the gumline). This cosmetic option gives your teeth a smooth and even look, effectively correcting the appearance of misshapen, oversized, rough, or uneven teeth. Ask us how cosmetic bonding, enamel shaping, or a combination of the two could improve the appearance of your smile!
Silver (Amalgam) Fillings
Amalgam fillings (or silver fillings as they are often called) are made from a stable alloy of mercury combined with other metallic elements that render the mercury safe for use in dental fillings. Dentists have been placing silver fillings for over a century, so amalgam is the most researched and tested restorative material and we know it is safe. Because they are not adhesively applied to teeth, silver fillings are practical for deep fillings in areas below the gum line where it is difficult to keep dry during preparation and filling. We prefer to place composite fillings because they are more natural looking and the process is more conservative, but sometimes amalgam is a better alternative for fillings in certain areas.