Mercury-free dentistry restores your teeth without amalgam (“silver”) fillings. Amalgam contains a variety of metals, including about 50% mercury. If you’re like many people who want to limit their exposure to mercury and want a dentist who understands your concerns, Dr. Siny Thomas of Sugar Land can help. He hasn’t placed any amalgam fillings since 2005. And he offers a natural-looking alternative.
Mercury-Free Composite Fillings
Dr. Siny Thomas only uses white composite fillings. But if you’re concerned about your overall and oral health, you might wonder what composite fillings contain. They are a mixture of glass or quartz with resin. And they have properties that are like dentin—the layer beneath tooth enamel. Composite fillings are healthy for your teeth in several ways:
- Strengthening – Composite fillings bond to and strengthen teeth. Although amalgam is stronger than composite, it doesn’t bond to teeth, and it weakens them.
- Natural looking – Unlike dark, noticeable amalgam fillings, tooth-colored composite looks natural.
- Limit sensitivity – Mercury-free composite fillings insulate your teeth and decrease sensitivity to heat and cold. Metal-based amalgam fillings conduct heat and cold to your teeth.
- Preserve more structure – Composite fillings preserve more of your healthy tooth structure than amalgam fillings.
The photos below are an example of how mercury-free composite fillings bond to and blend with your natural teeth.
BEFORE
AFTER
Composite Fillings Require Precision
Although composite fillings are healthier for your teeth, placing them requires a careful technique. Otherwise, they won’t last. Dr. Thomas will ensure your fillings are correctly bonded and sealed. If you want to replace your old amalgam fillings with composite, Dr. Thomas uses a sanitary removal process:
- Isolates your tooth to avoid mercury exposure in other areas of your mouth
- He can give you an alternate breathing source through a mask, to prevent you from inhaling dust created from removing the amalgam
- Rinses your mouth with a solution that attracts any remaining particles and ensures your teeth and mouth are mercury free
How Are Composite Fillings Placed?
Dr. Thomas follows a process to give you long-lasting, mercury-free fillings:
- Isolate your teeth to keep saliva out
- Remove only the damaged portion of your tooth
- Clean your tooth and etch it with a gel that helps the composite bond to it
- Apply adhesive and thin layers of tooth-colored composite
- Harden the composite with a curing light
- Shape the composite to match your tooth structure
- Polish the composite
How to Take Care of Composite Fillings
- Floss daily and brush your teeth twice daily to prevent plaque accumulation.
- Avoid excessively drinking alcoholic beverages, which can cause composite to deteriorate prematurely.
- Limit sugary, sticky, and hard foods.
- Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams.
If you’re interested in mercury-free fillings that look natural and strengthen your teeth, call us or complete our Request an Appointment form.