Fillings

What are fillings?

Fillings are a treatment for small areas of damage in your tooth. The most common reason for fillings is tooth decay. There are two main types of fillings, including silver fillings and tooth-colored fillings. 

Lotus Dental uses the latest and most effective dental technology, which is why they exclusively offer tooth-colored fillings. 

What are the disadvantages of silver fillings?

Silver fillings are 50% mercury, which can potentially corrode, leak, and discolor your teeth and gums. Additionally, silver fillings can weaken or break over the years, leaving your tooth exposed to new damage. 

Metal can also contract and expand, which means your silver fillings could potentially split and break your tooth. 

Silver fillings were once the only choice, which is why so many adults still have them today. But, the good news is that Dr. Anne and the Lotus Dental team can replace your old silver fillings with tooth-colored ones.

What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are made with composite resin — a plastic material that the dental care team can expertly shape to fill in decayed areas. They're discreet because the team chooses a shade that perfectly matches your teeth.

In addition to the cosmetic advantage, tooth-colored fillings actually improve the strength of a weak tooth. Lotus Dental uses the latest bonding technologies to adhere the resin to your natural tooth structure, creating a solid surface that resists damage and decay.

Dr. Anne uses the same powerful resin for tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, and inlays and onlays. The resin melds seamlessly with your teeth and wears away slowly, much like natural tooth enamel.  

What is the process for swapping silver fillings for white ones?

If you want to replace your old fillings with new tooth-colored (white) ones, you can usually do so in two visits to Lotus Dental. 

During the first appointment, Dr. Anne removes the old filling and creates a digital impression of your tooth using an intraoral scanner. You'll wear a temporary onlay home after that. 

At your next appointment, Dr. Anne will remove the temporary onlay and place a special conditioning gel on your tooth. This gel, along with bonding cement, helps the new filling adhere. 

Dr. Anne uses laser dentistry techniques to bond the resin permanently to your tooth. Afterwards, she polishes your tooth to complete your filling swap.

If you need filings, call Lotus Dental or request a consultation online today.