Cosmetic Dentistry and Skin Care Blog

While silver amalgams are a time-tested way to address tooth decay, many Smile & Skin clients prefer a more cosmetic method of cavity-repair. If you’re concerned about smile aesthetics, consider composite resin over silver fillings. Composite fillings are made of white resin that blends with the tooth’s surface, making it nearly impossible to see the filled area. Composites can also be used to bond the broken, cracked or chipped teeth that are impacting your smile.

Advantages of White Fillings

Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefits, white fillings have many other advantages. First, composites contain no mercury. The mercury content in amalgams is very small and deemed safe by the FDA, but patients who have mercury allergies or are concerned about mercury-related health conditions may prefer composites. Other resin filling benefits include:

• Smaller filling size: White composite fillings require less drilling than silver amalgams during the preparation process. As a result, your filling will be smaller and less noticeable.   
• Tooth restoration:  Silver fillings can weaken teeth over time, but composite resin bonds with the tooth to restore tooth durability. In addition, many patients report that their teeth are less sensitive to temperature extremes when composites are chosen over silver, since the resin acts as an insulator.  
• Secondary decay detection: Occasionally, a tooth will begin to decay underneath an existing filling. This is called secondary decay, and it’s much easier to locate when you have white vs. silver fillings.
• Low maintenance: In the event that you damage a composite filling, it is generally easy and affordable for Smile & Skin experts to repair it—without starting from scratch.

Composite resin fillings are an attractive option for most people, and typically last eight to ten years.  Although they are generally considered cosmetic treatment, your insurance will usually cover a portion of the cost.  If you’re interested in composites, discuss your options with Dr. Meola’s staff.

Ready to begin working on your smile? Call us today at (781) 893-7500 to schedule your annual exam, report tooth pain.  Ask about Smile & Skin Aesthetics cosmetic dental options or inquire about special pricing packages.

Cosmetic Dentistry Experts

If your Boston dentist has recommended amalgams (silver fillings) to repair tooth decay or restore your decayed teeth, you may be wondering about how safe they are. In recent years, much concern has been raised about silver fillings and their mercury content. Because of this, many patients are leery of fillings—and may even avoid them altogether. Unfortunately, avoiding a filling can lead to unhealthy and dangerous complications, so it’s important to understand the truth about amalgams. Here are the facts:

1. While it’s true that amalgams are made of elemental liquid mercury mixed with other metal alloys, the mercury becomes nearly non-toxic when bound with other metals. Because this form of mercury it is not absorbed well through the digestive tract, it is not a health concern. In addition, the amount of mercury released by patient amalgams is extremely small when compared to our average daily mercury intake from water, seafood and other environmental sources.
2. Choosing not to fill your dental caries (cavities) can lead to ongoing health problems. A cavity is the result of an accumulation of decayed particles and bacteria, and if you go without filling the cavity, bacteria can enter your body through your jaw and gastro internal track. These spreading bacteria could lead to both bodily infection and general health concerns. 
3. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) have ruled, on numerous occasions, that silver fillings are not unsafe.
4. Amalgams are still in use because they are a durable, time-tested and affordable way of restoring decayed teeth. There are other options—including porcelain and composite resins—that are more cosmetically attractive.
5. It is estimated that less than one percent of the population is allergic to mercury, so mercury allergies are not a concern when it comes to amalgams. If you have a known mercury allergy, however, discuss other filling options with your Boston dentist.

Smile and Skin Cares about Your Health

Don’t let excessive tooth decay ruin your smile—and your health—since amalgam is still one of the safest, most effective materials for filling cavities. If you’re still concerned about filling your dental caries with silver amalgams or are interested in cosmetic alternatives, talk with the experienced cosmetic dentists at Smile and Skin Aesthetics office. Dr. Meola and his team will provide you with the latest in updated amalgam safety info, and discuss filling alternatives for patients concerned about mercury allergies or other mercury-linked health conditions.

Many people are fearful of dental treatment and their apprehension and anxiety causes them to avoid and postpone regular dental care until their oral health deteriorates. Sedation dentistry, also known as "relaxation dentistry," offers an opportunity to experience your dental treatment without pain or anxiety. Using many different techniques, dentists can provide you with the appropriate comfort level to address all of your dental needs, often in only one visit.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Use of a combination of inhaled nitrous oxide and oxygen is a very safe and effective way to achieve a relaxed state. Nitrous oxide, or commonly known as "laughing gas," has been used in dentistry for over one hundred years. The effects of nitrous oxide are to reduce fear and the perception of pain while still maintaining consciousness. One of the main benefits is that the onset and recovery is immediate, which allows patients to resume normal activity following their appointment.

Conscious Sedation
For patients with high levels of fear and anxiety, nitrous oxide sedation may not be enough. In these cases, conscious sedation is a much better option. Conscious sedation provides a reduced state of consciousness through the use of medications provided by the dentist. These medications are administered by mouth (oral conscious sedation) or via intravenous methods (IV sedation). Patients undergoing conscious sedation are able to speak and respond to verbal cues throughout the procedure, communicating any discomfort they experience to the dentist. Nitrous oxide sedation can also be used as an adjunct to conscious sedation, synergizing with the effect of local anesthetic and the sedative medications. One of the other benefits of conscious sedation is temporary amnesia that may erase any memory of the procedure. Most patients experience minimal post-operative discomfort; however, due to residual effects of the sedatives, it is important for a trusted companion to escort the patient home to ensure safe transportation and recovery.

General Anesthesia
The majority of dental procedures can be completed with conscious sedation. However, in rare cases in which a patient has extreme anxiety, requires extensive treatment to be done, or has a complex medical condition, general anesthesia may be the best option. General anesthesia is the state produced when a patient receives medications for purposes of amnesia, pain control and to induce sleep. An anesthetized patient can be thought of as being in a controlled, reversible state of unconsciousness. The medications are administered either intravenously or inhaled. Your dentist must work with an anesthesiologist to administer the medications and carefully monitor vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Due to the complex nature of providing general anesthesia, it is usually performed in a hospital outpatient setting.

There is no need to be fearful of the dentist's office. You can receive the highest quality dental care in a painless and anxiety-free setting. To find out if sedation dentistry is an option for you, or if you would like more information about sedation dentistry, contact your dentist or a qualified sedation dentist.