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After decay is removed from a tooth, something must be placed
in that space to give strength back to the tooth.
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White (metal-free) fillings are an alternative
to silver (mercury amalgam) fillings. White fillings
are made of a strong composite resin that is matched
to the surrounding tooth color and bonded to the tooth
structure adding strength to the restoration. In the
past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth,
but a stronger, more durable material has been developed
that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.
White fillings are often preferrable because:
- Many patients prefer mercury-free fillings
- Cosmetic reasons
- Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold
find metal-free fillings to be more comfortable
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White Porcelain inlay or onlay: A porcelain inlay
or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a conventional
filling, but isn't so big that a crown
is required. An inlay is a filling within the cusp tips
of the tooth. Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay
one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the
tooth. Both inlays and onlays are bonded to the remaining
tooth structure. |
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