Should I Get Metal-Free Fillings?
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Despite doing the best we can to maintain a healthy oral regimen for our teeth, the occasional cavity may still develop. In the past, metal fillings were needed to restore the decayed pockets of your teeth. However, metal-free fillings now offer a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than metal fillings while still having the wear resistance of metal fillings.
Here are some questions patients should ask Dr. Fiss to understand the importance of metal-free fillings as a replacement for metal fillings.
Do Metal-Free Fillings Look Better Than Metal Fillings?
Metal-free fillings tend to outmatch metal fillings when it comes to a pleasing appearance. Fillings made from ceramic material can maintain a highly realistic appearance and blend in with your natural smile. Ceramic fillings are customized to match the shade and color of the surrounding tooth enamel, so no one will tell that a cavity was once there or that a filling is present.
Alternatively, metal fillings that contain silver or gold begin to fade or become darker with time. This means metal fillings will become fairly noticeable when you open your mouth to smile, speak, or eat.
Are Metal Fillings Dangerous?
The amount of mercury used in these fillings is incredibly small; however, it could still cause health issues. Different generations of metal fillings (amalgam) are made with a mixture of mercury, silver, gold, and tin.
When mercury is continuously released into the body from dental amalgam fillings, mercury poisoning or health risks could develop. This occurs when mercury is absorbed and then accumulates in the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and gastrointestinal tract.
Scientific research has identified dental mercury as a potential cause or aggravating factor in the following conditions:
- Allergies (including mercury)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autism
- Autoimmune disorder
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic mercury poisoning symptoms
- Periodontal disease
Are Metal-Free Fillings More Conservative?
Metal-free fillings will remove the smallest amount of enamel required to heal your teeth. This ensures your natural teeth will maintain their durability for years to come. Metal fillings require more removal and deconstruction of the natural tooth than ceramic or composite fillings.
Patients need to seek dentists like Dr. Fiss that value a conservative approach. It is extremely important to choose a filling procedure that conserves as much tooth enamel as possible. Once your tooth enamel is gone, it can never grow back or return naturally.
What Is IPS Empress All-Ceramics?
IPS Empress all-ceramic restorations are clinically tested inlays and overlays made of leucite glass-ceramic. These restorations are optimized to match the natural tooth structure’s shade, harmoniously blending with the rest of the mouth. Additionally, the leucite-based material can naturally scatter light and please patients with its lifelike appearance and clarity.
The build process for IPS Empress all-ceramic restorations also uses modern technology to provide significant advantages to patients. The IPS Empress system uses machinable ceramic blocks ensuring all materials provide superior strength measurements, durability, and accurate fit.
Interested In Learning More?
Metal-free fillings can restore teeth and improve your oral health. If you want to learn more about metal-free fillings and all-ceramic inlays and overlay, don’t hesitate to get in contact with Dr. Fiss. Call us at 312-642-6631 or fill our online form to schedule a consultation.