Traditionally, dental fillings have been done with silver-mercury amalgam. For many years our office has only done bonded tooth colored composite resin restorations.

The advantages of bonded restorations are many. There is the obvious fact that they are tooth colored, and look much better than dark silver fillings.

Another advantage is that they do not contain mercury. Although we do not routinely recommend replacing silver fillings because of mercury, many feel uncomfortable placing mercury containing fillings in patients, especially in children.

Probably the most important advantage is that these fillings are bonded. That is the material chemically bonds to the tooth structure. There is no micro-gap to leak, so bacteria can’t get between the filling and the tooth. All amalgam fillings leak. When they are removed they often have previously undetected decay beneath them.

For these reasons, our office only provides bonded restorations. They are more technically difficult, but it is a vastly superior service.