Tooth Fillings

Materials Used for Tooth Restorations

This information is provided to help you make decisions about selection of materials as tooth restorations in your mouth. Many types of metals are used in dentistry for the replacement and rehabilitation of oral structures. These materials are considered to besafe when placed in the body. The following information will help you to make decisions about the type of tooth restorations you prefer to be placed in your mouth:

A. Silver amalgam. Best used in small-to medium-sized restorations of posterior teeth (premolars and molars). These well-proven restorations should provide you with many years of service. You should be aware of the following information about your new resorations:

Chewing: Amalgam restorations do not develop their maximum strength for 24 hours. Chew only soft foods on the new restorations until that time.

Sensitivity: Metal conducts heat and cold faster than tooth structure, Therefore, you may experience mild sensitivity to hot and cold foods for a few days. This sensitivity should disappear soon. If it does not do so, please contact us.

B. Resin Tooth-Colored Restorations. The resin material used contains small “filler” particles for strength and wear resistance. These restorations will serve you well for several years. They contain the finest and most up-to-date materials available today. Please be aware of the following information about your new restorations:

Chewing: Avoid chewing excessively hard foods such as hard candy, corn nuts, ice, bones, etc., because the resin material can be broken from the tooth with extreme force. If breakage occurs, replacement of the restoration is not difficult.