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We do "white" fillings (composite) in all teeth, unless moisture control is a problem, in which case we would use traditional amalgam, or "silver" fillings. Composite fillings were formerly reserved for front teeth in more obvious areas for cosmetic reasons, but now they are acceptable as fillings for molars as well. They are more conservative, are strong enough to withstand biting forces, and they are more appealing to the eye. They generally don't last as long as silver fillings, but because they start out smaller than silver fillings, loss of tooth structure at replacement time is not usually a problem.

Silver fillings (amalgams) are perfectly acceptable and have been used for years as the filling of choice. However, they are not bonded or "glued" in. Instead, they are just packed in, pushing from the inside out, which can cause tooth fractures later on, due to repeated biting forces in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the filling to temperature changes over time. In addition, they require a less-conservative preparation initially, and therefore a small cavity may require a large silver filling in order for the tooth to retain the filling long-term. They do not leak mercury, but they can "corrode", staining the tooth from the inside out, giving it a dark gray or black appearance.

Composite fillings are bonded in the tooth, which will help resist fractures over time, and can help already fractured teeth withstand further, more-damaging fractures.

In today's smile makeover world, there is a greater demand for more esthetic solutions to dental problems. We are answering that call with a more natural looking, solid and proven composite restorations.