


You may be unhappy with the appearance of your silver, mercury fillings, but appearance is just the beginning. Your old fillings are also a health concern, and may lead to tooth loss.
Not only are there serious questions about how silver, mercury fillings affect your overall health, but over time, old fillings leak, leading to cavities forming underneath. This causes serious damage to the structure of the tooth, leading to a cracked tooth and/or the need for a root canal. Silver fillings can also leach into gum tissue, causing permanent staining of the gums, also known as “amalgam tattoos.”
Dr. Betor offers the highest-quality, metal-free restorations, including white, plastic fillings, porcelain inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges. Today's advanced materials enable us to transform your smile with natural-looking and long-lasting results. By bonding the new restorations to your teeth, we can create a stronger, healthier smile.
Porcelain and Plastic Replacement Options
Porcelain or plastic? Both materials can be used, however, we recommend porcelain because it is a stronger, custom-made restoration that is more durable, wears like tooth enamel and forms the best surface for chewing. Plastic is an option for small fillings, but when used for larger restorations, it will need to be frequently replaced. And with constant replacement, the tooth will eventually require a porcelain restoration. If you don’t want to make frequent visits to the dentist, porcelain is the best choice.
Long-Lasting Results
Porcelain easily wins in strength, durability and longevity – compare the qualities for yourself…
| Porcelain | Plastic |
| Tooth color | Tooth color |
| Bonded to teeth | Bonded to teeth |
| Up to 100% of tooth’s strength | Up to 75% of tooth’s strength |
| Very durable | Porous, weaker |
| Long-term: 10+ years | Short-term: 3-5 years |
As with all procedures, proper home care and regular dental visits will help prolong the life of your new restorations.
As always, the first step to getting started on replacing your old, silver fillings is to call us for a complimentary consultation.
We look forward to giving you the smile of your dreams!
For more information on plastic and porcelain replacement fillings, or for a complimentary consultation, call The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group at (440) 333-3766.