Amalgam fillings are an alloy containing elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals. Although mercury can be harmful alone, the other ingredients stabilize the mercury and make it safe and effective for fillings. 

The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization have all found amalgam fillings safe for tooth restorations. 

Amalgam fillings are very strong and reliable, and that’s why they’re a good choice for the teeth that work the hardest when chewing, like your molars. One disadvantage of amalgam fillings is their color. The silver filling won’t blend in with the color of your teeth, and that’s why some prefer composite fillings.

Composite fillings match your tooth color. They’re made from finely ground quartz or glass and resin. This type of filling can be a good choice for small-to-medium cavities, but for large cavities in the back of the mouth, amalgam might be a better choice. Composite fillings are often the perfect solution for cavities in the “smile” teeth. 

Composite fillings are often smaller than amalgam fillings because they require less tooth preparation, but a potential disadvantage of composite fillings is that they’re more expensive than amalgam fillings. 

Both filling types have advantages and possible drawbacks. Dr. Schulman performs your exam and evaluates your X-rays before making customized recommendations for your filling type. Dr. Schulman always takes your personal preferences into account as he helps you choose the right option. 

Not anymore, thanks to the latest laser technology. At Allan D. Schulman, DDS, LLC, your comfort is Dr. Schulman’s priority. He uses the state-of-the-art Biolase WaterLase® laser, which gives you a virtually painless experience. 

The BioLase WaterLase laser uses a combination of laser energy and water to remove decay without traditional dental drills. The process is very well-tolerated, and in fact, most people don’t even need local anesthesia to get fillings with BioLase WaterLase. 

With Dr. Schulman’s gentle approach, there’s no reason to dread fillings any longer. Use the online appointment maker or call the office of Allan D. Schulman, DDS, LLC, to book your appointment now.