Mona Goodarzi DDS - Out With The Old… In With The New | Amalgam Vs Tooth Coloured Fillings Blog

Out With The Old… In With The New | Amalgam Vs Tooth Coloured Fillings

Unlike traditional amalgam fillings, our tooth colored restorations are safe and can be color matched to the exact shade of your natural tooth enamel.
The controversy about amalgam or “silver fillings”

Amalgam fillings have been used for decades to restore dental decay and cavities; however, in recent years much attention has been paid to the toxic material used to bond the amalgam together. This material, known as mercury, makes up 54% of the total makeup of amalgam, along with tin, copper and silver.

While the medical boards such as the World Health Organisation have deemed the use of amalgam as a safe solution to fill dental cavities, further studies have found that very small amounts of mercury in the form of vapour can actually be released as the amalgam filling wears. These studies also bring light to the following effects of amalgam:

  • Amalgam scrap (waste left over after repairing a cavity) contains mercury and requires special handling to protect the environment;
  • Amalgam can darken over time as it corrodes. While this does not affect the function of the filling, many people find it less attractive than tooth colored materials;
  • Placement of amalgam requires removal of some healthy tooth;
  • In rare cases, a localized, allergic reaction such as inflammation or rash may occur

With this knowledge, here at Mona Goodarzi we believe that it’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why we only use composite resin material to safely protect and guard your teeth.

Tooth colored Restorations

With the new advancements in dentistry, tooth colored restorations are now durable, versatile and naturally beautiful. Our tooth colored fillings, made from composite resin material, form healthy and durable restoration that integrate seamlessly with your natural smile. It is by far a more aesthetically attractive alternative to amalgam which also offers superior protection against dental decay. At Mona Goodarzi, our dental professionals will work with you to design a tooth colored restoration that suits your smile, budget and lifestyle.

Advantages of composite resin – durable, attractive and safe
  • Durable: Composite is a strong material, providing durability in small to mid-sized restorations that withstand moderate chewing pressure. Frequency of repair or replacement is low to moderate
  • Flexible: Composite can be used on either front or back teeth, in contrast to amalgam which is used only on back teeth (molars);
  • Safe: composite resin contain no mercury and are 100% safe

At our Irvine practice we can craft further following tooth colored restorations in response to your unique needs and desires:

  • Inlay and onlays are custom made in a specialised dental laboratory to protect your teeth from dental decay. They are a form of protection that are used when your tooth is suffering mild dental decay but not to the extent where a dental crown is required to fit over the entire tooth. The difference between an onlay and an inlay is the area of tooth that it covers; if the ceramic restoration goes over the tooth’s cusps it is considered an onlay, but if the ceramic goes into the tooth it’s called an inlay.
  • Crown and Bridges are used when you are missing one or more teeth as a result of dental decay, or trauma. Crowns and bridges are custom made to fit over dental implants that offer a permanent solution to restoring missing teeth.
Remove your amalgam fillings safely and effectively at Mona Goodarzi

For patients who have amalgam fillings, we can safely and effectively replace your old amalgams for a more attractive solution to protecting your smile. At your initial consultation here at Mona Goozardi in Irvine, we will perform a full mouth assessment to assess the extent of your dental decay to determine the best treatment for you.  Our compassionate and caring team look forward to helping you receive the dental treatment you need and deserve.

To discover more about our tooth colored restorations, or to arrange an appointment at Mona Goodarzi DDS’s practice in Irvine, please contact us.