Restorative dentistry is the art and science of restoring teeth to proper appearance and function. The most common restorative procedures are fillings. Dr. Pinner performs all kinds of fillings. He often lets the situation dictate the best restorative material for the job. Here’s more info on common restorative dentistry techniques.
Composite fillings
Composite fillings are tooth-colored fillings. These bond directly to the tooth and give the tooth additional strength. Some composite fillings can even serve as a fluoride “reservoir.” When you brush and swish with a fluoridated toothpaste and/or mouthwash, the filling material will “recharge” its fluoride reserves. It will then release the fluoride ions into the tooth over time. This can help keep the underlying tooth structure healthy, hard, and free of decay. People have recently highly favored tooth-colored, composite fillings for their esthetics. And who can blame them, we all want a vibrant, beautiful, healthy smile!
Amalgam fillings
Amalgam fillings are the old-school silver fillings you may have gotten in the past. Honestly, there’s been a ton of misinformation regarding the health risks of dental amalgam. Amalgam fillings contain Mercury. Some dentists even refer to amalgam restorations and “mercury fillings.” You can be assured amalgam restorations are perfectly safe. Countless clinical trials have been conducted, and the literature has proven amalgams to be safe time and time again. One of the main advantages of an amalgam filling is that they last many years. Dr. Pinner loves to tell the story of his 89-year old patient who still had an amalgam filling that she received at age 17. That’s right, the filling was still functional after 72 years!
However, if you simply want a tooth-colored filling for esthetic purposes, that’s a great reason…and Dr. Pinner will be happy to use the latest composite technology to fill your teeth. We strive to provide exceptional patient care, and that means we listen to you. We take your needs and wants very seriously, and we want to partner with you to help deliver the best possible care for your specific situation.