Why Replace Mercury Fillings?
Health Reasons:
Metal mercury fillings contain mercury, a poison that can cause serious neurological problems. This poison has been outlawed by many countries. High levels of mercury are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. For our patients’ health and safety, we do not use mercury fillings in our own practice. We are happy to replace your old metal fillings with porcelain fillings if you are concerned about the effects of mercury on your health.
Cosmetic Reasons:
Traditional metal mercury is gray, and becomes dingy and dark colored over-time, marring the brightness of your smile. With our range of tooth-colored dental restoration materials, we can replace these metal fillings with beautiful, natural looking restorations. Most people prefer the clean, natural look of tooth-colored fillings over the metallic appearance of traditional metal mercury. Metal mercury fillings were developed a hundred years ago, and now we have far better tooth-conserving materials available.
Besides looking unattractive, metal fillings:
- require more healthy tooth tissue to be removed for it’s placement. The cavity has to be a specified width, depth and shape to hold the metal filling in, as it is only held by mechanical retention, not by bonding.
- Exert pressure outwards on the tooth, since they are packed tightly into the cavity rather than bonded to the tooth. This gradually weakens the tooth, as much as 85% and eventually causing cracking, requiring a crown.
- Continually contract and expand in response to the hot and cold substances in the mouth, which contribute to tooth weakening. Remember that mercury is used in thermometers, where it expands to indicate higher temperatures and contracts in lower temperatures.
- Become darker with age, and even show through the tooth enamel, causing tooth discolouration.
Porcelain or Plastic?
Both materials can be used as fillings, however we recommend porcelain because it is a stronger and more durable. Plastic is a great option for small fillings, but when used for large restorations it doesn’t last as long before it needs to be replaced. With constant replacement, eventually the tooth will require a porcelain restoration.
Long-Lasting Results – porcelain easily wins in strength, durability and longevity – compare the qualities for yourself.
CEREC 3D: Single-Visit Porcelain Filling Placement
Porcelain Crowns, Inlays and Onlays …All In One Visit!
At Dr. Yolanda Cruz, porcelain crowns, inlays, and onlays can be designed, manufactured, and bonded into place in only one visit, using our computer-aided CEREC 3D system.
It used to be that this kind of treatment meant one appointment to prepare the tooth and take an impression for the lab, and another a few weeks later to put in the permanent restoration. With CEREC 3D, the whole procedure only takes only an hour.
First, we remove only the decayed or weakened part of the tooth and no more. The CEREC 3D system is so precise, we are able to preserve much more of the good structure than is normally possible.
Next, instead of having you bite down on a tray to create an impression, we use a special camera to take a digital photo of your tooth. The CEREC 3D software converts this image into a three-dimensional model of your new tooth—a process you can watch on our computer monitor.
With the click of a button, the design is sent to our milling machine where a high-speed diamond bit fabricates your restoration from a solid ceramic block. Minutes later, the finished piece is polished and bonded into place. Then you can head out the door with a radiant new smile!
Benefits of CEREC 3D Technology
- One visit
- No messy impressions
- Most durable all-porcelain restoration
- Metal free
- Finest Dental Materials
- No temporaries
A CEREC tooth restoration isn’t just convenient, it is also healthier. In the past, dentists only had few options to repair decayed and damaged teeth: amalgam, gold, and other metals.
With CEREC chipped or discolored front teeth can be repaired with beautiful CEREC porcelain anterior crowns or veneers.
Call 416-595-5490 (Downtown Toronto Location) and see if CEREC is right for you!
