Broken Tooth Repairs, Fillings, and Crowns

When Teeth have Cavities or are Broken in an Accident, Fillings and Crowns are used to Repair Them

Fillings: The appearance and strength of a tooth can be restored with a natural looking, tooth-colored restoration. To achieve the best results, we use composite resins for all our restorative work. Composite resins are far superior to the old silver amalgams because they form a chemical and mechanical bond with the tooth structure. By actually becoming part of the tooth, these restorations strengthen the tooth and look beautiful doing it. The old silver amalgams did a great job in their time, but cannot compare to the new generation of filling materials.

Crowns: A Crown acts as a protective cap to shield and protect a tooth. We make only high-quality Crowns which are known for their beauty and durability. All our Crowns are made here in the USA. Nothing is sent to China or to off-shore labs that outsource to China. Although it’s more costly, dealing with American laboratories assures us of the standards and safety of all materials used.

chipped tooth

Why Don’t We Do Silver Amalgams?

Patients often ask what we think about silver amalgams, since there’s been some controversy over the years about their safety.

Silver amalgams have been in constant use in the United States since 1833. They are inexpensive to use and last for decades. Amalgams are made of silver, mercury, tin, copper and trace elements. The important part to know, is that the mercury is bound to the silver and other metals in a chemical reaction. The mercury is no longer a loose agent, since it becomes inert when combined with the other metals in an amalgam. In our office, some of us have 40 year old amalgams here and there in our own mouths. We don’t worry about it.
smiling woman

So, if they’ve been used since 1833 and are cheap and durable, why don’t we use them?

They aren’t the best material for the job any more. We now have much better, more durable ways to restore a tooth using composite resins. Composite resins don’t transmit hot and cold or give electrical “jolts” if you accidentally bite down on tin foil. They bond with the tooth, so they don’t have as much problem as amalgams with decay getting underneath the filling. Nor are they as prone to causing a tooth fracture, as amalgams. Composite resins do it all, and they are beautiful. Silver amalgams can’t compete.
Amalgams will be around for a while longer, but make no mistake: the eventual death of silver fillings will happen because they’re old technology and they’re ugly: not because they’re dangerous in any way.

Looking for High-Quality Fillings or Crowns to Repair Your Broken Tooth?

Call Dr. Steven Curry, DDS at

304-622-5151