Mercury Free Metal Free Dentistry in Redwood City, CA

Mercury has been used in dentistry for a long time. It is fused with another metal to form an amalgam to fill cavities. At Future Dental, we altogether avoid the use of mercury or any metals in our dental procedures due to various disadvantages they pose. As an alternative, we use tooth-colored restorations made from porcelain or composite resin.

What are the drawbacks of amalgam restorations?

Amalgam is a toxic substance as it contains mercury. When applied as a filling to a cavity, it could leak and enter the bloodstream through the dental pulp. This can cause toxic infections.

Amalgam fillings leave dark patches on the teeth. On the other hand, white fillings can be customized to match the exact color, texture, and translucency of the enamel.

Metal fillings can abnormally expand and contract when you consume hot or cold foods. This unfavorable property of metal restorations can crack the tooth.

What is the alternative?

Ceramic or composite restorations are the best alternative to their metal counterparts. They offer several advantages, such as the following:

They are highly durable. With regular use, tooth-colored restorations do not wear significantly, which increases their lifespan. The procedure for placing ceramic restorations is quite simple and will not involve a lot of chair time.

Composite resinous material can be shaped according to the contour of the tooth. A curing light is used to harden it, which gives the dentist ample time to contour it.

Tooth-colored fillings offer excellent sealing properties. They completely cover the cavity and keep the microbes from entering it or causing re-infection.

Their appearance can be customized to a great extent. Anyone taking a closer look at your teeth wouldn’t be able to distinguish the restoration from the natural teeth.

To know more about Mercury-free or Metal-free Dentistry, please schedule an online appointment with our Family dentist in Redwood City, CA or call us at (650) 780-9439, and we will be happy to help. We also serve areas of Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, and Foster City.