Protect Overall Health with Mercury-Free and BPA-Free Fillings

Tooth decay and cavities have been a dental problem for as long as humans have been eating, and we’ve been trying to come up with the perfect solution to those cavities for almost as long. Today, Framingham Family Dental Care provides patients with fillings that are made of composite resin materials that are both mercury-free and BPA-free. This filling material comes close to the perfection of natural tooth structure and offers numerous advantages over previous types of filling materials. Call our office today to learn more and restore your smile!

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are dental restorations designed to repair teeth damaged as a result of minor decay or physical trauma. It’s the best way to keep damaged teeth healthy and improve their overall longevity.

In an effort to improve the performance of amalgam fillings, dentists began using composite resin materials to repair cavities. Composite resin is essentially a metal-free, medical grade plastic that fills a cavity, bonds with existing tooth structure and provides a tooth-colored alternative to that otherwise dark filling that had been used to repair tooth decay. However, composite resin is also not without its concerns.

At Framingham Family Dental, we make sure the filling material that we use to fill cavities for you and your family is both mercury-free and BPA-free. BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical that has been used to harden plastics for more than 40 years. BPA made headlines in 2008 when possible health risks were reported. Although nothing has been confirmed by the FDA or any other health organization, our dentists feel better knowing that the composite resin material they use is BPA-free. Everything we use in or on your teeth is safe and biocompatible. After all, as your family dentist, we are not only concerned about your oral health, but your overall health as well.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

Removing a silver filling and replacing it with a tooth-colored option takes roughly an hour to complete. We start by numbing the area where the tooth is being restored, remove your metal filling, then carefully apply the color-matched composite resin to the tooth and shape it as needed. If you’re in need of a new filling entirely and any existing decay is present, we’ll remove it and clean the tooth before completing this step.

After the resin has been adhered, we’ll harden it using an ultraviolet curing light, which only takes a few seconds. From there, we’ll sculpt the filling further to remove any excess and keep your bite as even as possible. After a final polishing, you can head out and smile with confidence knowing your tooth is restored!

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

There are many benefits that come with having a tooth-colored filling over amalgam ones. On top of being able to blend in with your existing enamel almost exactly, tooth-colored fillings:

  • Won’t cause the surrounding area of the tooth to become gray with time
  • Ensure enhanced bonding for a more stable attachment
  • Require far less removal of enamel (if any at all)
  • Won’t cause allergic reactions to those sensitive to metal materials
  • Won’t expand or contract like metal fillings do (leading to an increased risk of chipping or cracking enamel)
  • Can last for 10 years and longer with routine maintenance