Drs. Miller and Kelly have not advocated the routine use of the “silver” fillings for many years. This filing material has been around for about 200 years and contains 50% mercury on average. They do not bond to tooth structure and we routinely find decay under them. In addition, since this metal alloy filling expands and contracts with temperature changes, cracks can form in the surrounding tooth structure. When bacteria enter these cracks the nerve of your tooth can become irritated eventually leading to the need for a root canal. In addition, the fractures can progress leading to collapse of the tooth, which at times cannot be repaired- requiring tooth removal and replacement.

While not all of these fillings need to be replaced, we believe that patients should know that many of them carry an increased risk of permanent tooth damage. We have been properly trained to remove these restorations by a leading toxicology organization. Replacement options include bonded composite restorations and biocompatible ceramic restorations.

We look forward to discussing your particular needs and concerns. Our preventative focus has assisted many of our patients who desire to keep their teeth for a lifetime.