Many
people are concerned not only with stained fillings
in the front teeth but also unsightly, black metal
fillings in the back. Advances in material sciences
have provided a tooth coloured alternative that
has properties suitable for all areas of the mouth.
Composite Restorations can also be added to teeth
to dramatically change their appearance, as shown
here. Whilst removal of any filling can potentially
damage the surrounding teeth, careful build up of
a tooth using composite resin can enhance both strength
and appearance.
Amalgam
fillings are still the most commonly placed filling
in back teeth throughout the world, amalgam fillings
are the cause of increased debate both in the dental
and public domain.
The
controversy centres on the mercury content of the material.
It is a fact that mercury is a very toxic material,
most of us have heard of the Mad Hatter in Alice in
Wonderland. Hatters used mercury to felt hats.However,
it has never been proved beyond doubt that amalgam fillings
cause a health problem.
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There
are though, mounting reports, from a wide variety of
sources, that the mercury in amalgam fillings is strongly
implicated in causing a range of symptoms in some people.
With this in mind no amalgam fillings are placed at
the Aquae Sulis Dental Practice. Composite resin is
now the material of choice for all fillings. Technological
advances in material science have vastly improved this
once inferior material such that if handled and placed
in a careful, methodical way we can expect composite
restorations to be as predictable and durable as the
amalgams were.
Like
amalgams, composites are susceptible to wear, staining
and fracturing such that careful selection prior to
their placement is required. Also they require normal
patient maintenance of oral hygiene and dietary control
to prevent decay around the restoration margin.
Click here to view examples >>> |
