Metal Free Dentistry in Ocoee, FL | Ocoee Dental And Orthodontics

METAL-FREE DENTISTRY

No one wants to hear from their dentist that they have tooth decay and that it will be necessary to install dental fillings. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, at least 92% of all adults aged 20 to 64 will have at least one cavity in their mouth.

The good news is that cavities can be repaired with dental fillings so no further damage takes place.

Unlike in past years, dental patients now have several choices available to them on which kinds of dental fillings to have installed.

In some cases, the type of dental filling used will depend on the location of the cavity.
In other cases, the size of the cavity will also indicate a particular type of filling.
However, assuming that you have a minor filling to deal with, you’ll have several options to choose from.

The silver amalgam fillings were the most popular choice for decades, and these were comprised of liquid mercury, along with silver, copper, and tin.

The mercury served as a binding agent to make the filling material strong. Some people also had gold fillings installed because they are the longest-lasting of all filling types. Of course, they’re also the most expensive filling material which can be used to treat cavities.

These days, a very popular choice for fillings is a composite material that can be colored to have the same appearance as your regular teeth. They have about the same lifespan as the silver amalgam fillings, but they are virtually unnoticeable in your mouth. That is the main reason they have become so popular in recent years.

METAL-FREE DENTISTRY IN OCOEE, FL

At Dr. Maitri Patel‘s dental clinic in Ocoee, FL, we are able to offer you composite fillings which are completely metal-free.

Many patients today prefer these composite fillings because they can be matched to the color of your teeth.
This makes them much less noticeable in your mouth, so you don’t have to be embarrassed when your mouth is open.

Because composite fillings contain no metals whatsoever, there are no health issues associated with them, and they’re just as durable as the silver amalgam fillings.

If it becomes necessary for you to have fillings installed in your teeth, you should let us know about your preferences for filling material. We may not always be able to comply with your wishes, due to the size or location of the cavity, but we’ll always do our best to install the filling of your choice.

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Many of our dental patients prefer using metal-free dental fillings these days because they’re much less noticeable when installed in your mouth. If you’re interested in having metal-free dental fillings used on your cavities, you should make a point of informing us during your appointment.

Contact us at Dr. Maitri Patel’s dental clinic in Ocoee, FL, and we’ll be sure to use metal-free dental fillings if it is at all possible.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What are metal-free dental fillings?

A: In the past, silver amalgam dental fillings were the most commonly used material to handle cavities. Nowadays, however, patients prefer having fillings installed that are made of a composite material, colored to match the teeth in your mouth. These are much less conspicuous, and cannot be detected by any casual observer.

Q: What are the advantages of having metal-free fillings?

A: The most obvious advantage of metal-free fillings is that they are colored white, like the teeth in your mouth. Silver amalgam fillings start out dark, and become even darker with age, and are very obvious whenever you open your mouth. In addition, some metal-based fillings contain mercury, which can become a health hazard if it somehow gets into your bloodstream.

Q: Who is a good candidate for metal-free fillings?

A: Practically anyone with minor tooth decay is a good candidate for metal-free fillings, especially if you wish to avoid having the conspicuous silver amalgam fillings installed.

Q: Do metal-free fillings take longer to install than traditional fillings?

A: Yes, they do. That’s because metal-free fillings must be installed in layers, and each layer has to be hardened or cured using a special light. Layers must also be checked against your current tooth coloring, to be sure that there is a good match between the two.

Q: Do my metal-free fillings require special care?

A: No, they do not. You should care for them just like all your other teeth, which means you should brush and floss regularly every day, and make sure to keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments.