Composites have been used for many years however their chemical make-up and the bonding agents used today have improved drastically. They are being used to close undesirable spaces, improve the shape, size and color of a tooth, replace an unsightly amalgam restoration, cover abraded or worn areas of a tooth (usually at the gum line) and to cover stains. Composites can also be used to repair and strengthen broken teeth.

These fillings require a bit more time than the silver fillings because of the number of technique sensitive steps involved. Composite or "white" fillings are much more conservative. Less of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed. They are chemically bonded to the remaining tooth holding it together rather than simply filling the space as the amalgam filling does which results in a stronger tooth that looks great! They have a much more natural and aesthetic appearance.

Once the tooth has been prepared, the bonding agents are placed on the tooth and then the composite material is placed incrementally into the tooth. All these materials are hardened by exposure to a special (bright blue) curing light.

The restoration is then contoured to fit the bite and polished.

Amalgam or mercury fillings have been used as a main filling material for decades and there was a time when it was the best material dentists had to restore teeth with. Although the issue over the use and safety of amalgam in the dental office is not clear and is still being debated,  Dr. Wilson and the Lake Dental Health Centre no longer use it or recommend it when the placement of a new filling is needed.

We are happy to be Mercury Free!

We often have requests for the removal of silver fillings by our patients. Dr. Wilson does not recommend the replacement of intact amalgam fillings unless there are problems related to them. She does however do a clinical assessment at each exam to determine the current condition of your existing fillings and whether or not they warrant replacement.

With age silver fillings will corrode and leak leaving a space between the tooth and filling where plaque and bacteria can get in causing new decay to develop underneath.

Amalgam fillings in your mouth are not only unattractive but as with all metals they can and will expand putting teeth at risk of fracture and often result in broken or cracked teeth.