The Problem With Amalgam (Silver) Fillings

The mouth in its ideal form is free of signs of decay and disease.  Unfortunately, often our mouths can appear less than ideal with unsightly dark silver fillings.  Now, there is a new kind of restoration available called composite fillings that replace dark silver fillings to make your mouth look natural and beautiful again.

In the past, when an old filling wore out or failed with new decay, the only option was to have another silver filling.  Unfortunately, silver fillings have several disadvantages.  First, with time, the edges of the fillings deteriorate and break through a process called metal fatigue.  When a filling breaks, it no longer seals the tooth and tooth decay begins again.  Second, silver fillings just fill holes.  They don't add strength to decayed teeth.  And, when they age, they expand which can further weaken and crack the remaining tooth structure.  The result is tooth fracture which can result in the need  for a crown to seal and protect the tooth.  Finally, silver fillings cause unsightly metal stains of the teeth and gums.

With advances in materials and techniques, we now have a material that avoids these problems - composite fillings.  Composite fillings are tooth colored acrylics that are adhesively applied to the teeth in a process called bonding.  Composites not only look natural, they actually restore strength to the tooth while sealing and protecting the tooth.  For strong and natural looking teeth, Dr. Dulski uses composites exclusively as filling material at Adult Dentistry of Rochester.  For a free exam and consultation to discuss your alternative to silver fillings, visit http://www.dulski.com/.

Tags: Amalgam Fillings, Silver Fillings, Composite Fillings, Crowns

Common Questions About Porcelain Veneers

In an interview with Dr. Dulski about porcelain veneers, Ms. Deborah Jeanne Sergeant of In Good Health asks:

Ms. Sergeant:  What are the benefits that porcelain veneers offer?
Dr. Dulski:  How we perceive our smile and appearance affects our self-esteem, our moods and how we function in social and business relationships.  Common conditions that impact negatively on your smile include broken, cracked or worn teeth, discolored teeth, missing teth, crooked teeth, gaps between your teeth and/or "gummy smiles."  Ceramic restoration is the most durable and life-like way to replace damaged or lost enamel.  Veneers are more conservative of healthy tooth structure than full-coverage ceramic crowns.

Ms. Sergeant:  What are the risks involved?
Dr. Dulski:  As with any dental material that is used to restore teeth, there is limited useful life of the material.  Worn material requires replacement over time.  Consider a non-invasive procedure like orthodontics to close gaps to straighten teeth if the enamel is healthy and attractive.

Ms. Sergeant:  I've read that sometimes part of the tooth is ground off before a veneer is applied.  Wouldn't that harm the enamel?
Dr. Dulski:  The tooth is only as strong as the original tooth structure.  Healthy, intact enamel is necessary for a strong tooth that can chew comfortably and resist fracture.  Veneers are the most conservative replacement for damaged or lost enamel.  Thin veneers are the most conservative enhancement for unattractive enamel.

Ms. Sergeant:  Can debris get trapped between tooth and veneer thus endangering the tooth?
Dr. Dulski:  Porcelain veneers are bonded to the tooth using adhesive resins that seal out decay.  Daily brushing and flossing are necessary  to remove plaque, a film of bacteria that can build up on both natural and veneered teeth along the gum line.

Ms. Sergeant:  How long do veneers last?
Dr. Dulski:  Veneers, like crowns, last an average of 8 - 12 years.  Frequent visits with your dental hygiene coach, the hygienist, can help you prolong the life of your porcelain restorations.

Ms. Sergeant:  Once a veneer is applied, must the person have veneers for life?
Dr. Dulski:  Once enamel is removed, it cannot be replaced with anything as long-lasting.  Bonding damaged, lost or unattractive enamel with porcelain with the goal of preserving tooth structure is a reality today.

At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski supports the desirability of placing more conservative restorations to realize the financial and longevity benefits offered by more conservative restorative dentistry. Visit www.dulski.com to learn how contemporary methods give us the tools to give you a gorgeous, bright smile with minimally invasive treatments and fewer repeat visits.

Tags: Porcelain Veneers, Conservative Restorative Dentistry, Dental Bonding