Amalgam-Free Dental Fillings – Shelburne, VT
Intentionally Using Biocompatible, Safe Materials to Treat Cavities
One of the most common oral health problems faced by adults and children alike is tooth decay, or cavities. Dr. Maier can stop the spread of this issue and keep it from progressing into an infection by utilizing safe, natural-looking, amalgam-free dental fillings in Shelburne. If you experience unexplained tooth sensitivity or notice a black or dark spot on your tooth, call us today so we can see whether a cavity filling is necessary.
Why Choose Shelburne Village Dentistry for Amalgam-Free Dental Fillings?
- Safe, Biocompatible Dental Materials Used
- Conscientious & Calm Dentist & Team
- We See Patients of All Ages
What Are Amalgam-Free Dental Fillings?
In the past, dentists would use a metal compound called amalgam to treat cavities. It consisted of powdered silver, tin, mercury, and copper, and while it was durable, it would lead to unwanted side effects like tooth discoloration, heightened dental sensitivity, and more.
Dr. Maier uses an amalgam-free, tooth-colored material, called composite resin, to fill cavities. It contains no metals and is biocompatible, which means it’s able to naturally fuse with the tooth structure to minimize alteration of your natural tooth. It’s also able to create a tighter, more reliable seal on your affected tooth to keep bacteria from gaining access to the inner chamber and causing an infection.
The Amalgam-Free Dental Filling Process
If Dr. Maier notices a cavity at one of your routine dental checkups, she can easily treat it using our amalgam-free dental filling process. First, our team will clear all loose debris and decay from the affected tooth and sanitize it, ensuring that no bacteria linger. Dr. Maier will then prepare the tooth with a special etching agent before matching the color of the resin to your natural tooth and adhering it to the area.
Once the resin is in place, Dr. Maier will cure it using UV light. This will allow her to begin sculpting it to look like your natural tooth structure, regardless of the location of your cavity. By the time the process is done, most of our patients aren’t even able to tell which of their teeth has been treated!
Safe Amalgam Filling Removal Available
In addition to providing amalgam-free fillings, Dr. Maier offers safe amalgam filling removal. If you have an outdated metal filling that’s causing you discomfort, you don’t like the appearance of it, or you feel leery about how it’s impacting your health, our dental team can help. We take extra precautions to make sure that the mercury filling is properly disposed of, and that no trace amounts of the metal are breathed in during the treatment.
During our amalgam filling removal process, we’ll place a rubber dam to shield your mouth to prevent particles from easily being breathed in. We also have a filtration system within the room to remove any particles from the air as we’re removing the filling. Once the filling is taken out, we can replace it with a biocompatible amalgam-free one, giving you peace of mind that your smile is metal-free and safe.