Why amalgam fillings are absent from our North York and other offices

Treatment for cavities has remained consistent for the past century and a half, with dentists filling small and larger areas of damage with materials such as gold and dental amalgam. Amalgam was first developed to give consumers a more affordable solution to tooth decay. While gold was and still is used in many dental offices, the standard for more than 100 years has been to repair teeth with dental amalgam.

Amalgam fillings may remain one of the most common forms of treatment both in North York and far beyond. At Esquire Dental Centres, however, we believe that our patients get the most benefit from tooth coloured fillings from custom-shaded composite resin material.

Composite resin has been used by dentists around the world for several decades. This dental material is a combination of powdered glass and resin, and, due to its natural appearance, has been included in cosmetic treatment for years. With composite resin, dentists can repair small areas of damage such as cracks or chips. In the dental bonding procedure, small gaps may be closed and a tooth can even be reshaped or resized to perfection.

Tooth-coloured fillings are designed with aesthetics in mind. Due to the natural appearance of composites, all evidence of tooth decay is wiped away. Aside from aesthetics, patients appreciate a number of other aspects of composite resin fillings:

• Composite resin dental fillings are hardened right away due to curing with a special light. Amalgams, on the other hand, take a few days.
• Using composite resin, the cavity repair process is more conservative due to a decreased need to remove natural tooth structure. When more tooth structure is present, there is longevity in the results.
• The way composite fillings are affixed in a tooth is entirely different from amalgam fillings. Amalgams are held in place through structural mechanics, requiring extensive alteration of the tooth. Composites, on the other hand, are bonded to the tooth, creating a durable and long lasting restoration.
• If a composite resin filling is at some point damaged, repair, rather than replacement, can be done.

We believe in giving our patients the very best healthy, attractive smile. Learn more about tooth-coloured fillings in your visit to one of our friendly offices.

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