White and Porcelain Fillings

If you are self-conscious that your metal fillings show when you talk or laugh, or if you have tooth decay and do not want anyone to know, white or porcelain fillings may just what you need. 

Tooth-Colored Fillings

White or tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin carefully matched to the color of your natural tooth. This makes them much less visible than metal amalgam fillings. A different type of material is used for front and back teeth. The materials used for front teeth have a higher shine; whereas the materials for back teeth are designed for strength. Tooth-colored fillings offer a more aesthetically-pleasing and safer option than metal fillings, leaving you with a dazzling smile that you can feel good about.

All-Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings, including porcelain inlays and porcelain onlays, are created from a specially-designed ceramic material, the same material used for porcelain veneers. All-porcelain fillings are the longest lasting dental filling material available today; they are even more durable than your natural tooth enamel. If properly cared for, these fillings can last up to 30 years or more.

Teeth that have fractured or have had large silver fillings in them previously may require porcelain restorations.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays offer a strong, well-fitting, and long-lasting solution to tooth decay and fracture. Dental inlays treat damage that lies in between the cusps of your teeth, while onlays provide a more comprehensive treatment for decay that extends over cusps. Because they are made of porcelain, these inlays and onlays look more natural than metal fillings, and are stronger than tooth-colored composite fillings. Both options save and reinforce damaged teeth, helping you avoid the need for more extensive treatment with dental crowns, bridges, or dental implants.

Replacing Metal Fillings

The availability and popularity of white and porcelain fillings began increasing as the potential dangers of silver fillings were discovered. Old silver fillings contain mercury, which has a higher toxicity than lead and arsenic. The mercury in silver fillings is thought to be absorbed by your body’s organs over years. This potential risk of mercury absorption has spawned a movement toward safe, aesthetically pleasing tooth-colored and porcelain fillings, and is currently under study by the FDA.

If you live in Valencia or Santa Clarita, California or the surrounding area, and are interested in white or porcelain fillings, please contact the dental team at Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia to discuss what we can do for you. We offer free consultations so call our practice today.