We are a mercury-free practice and use a tooth-colored resin to fill tooth cavities. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure.
Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.
When attending an Invisalign consultation, it is crucial to engage with our team in a manner to maximize the efficiency of the session. Our team assesses your dental alignment and provides a detailed analysis of potential treatment paths. During this initial meeting, patient expectations and goals should be clearly communicated to guarantee alignment with the professional assessment. We utilize diagnostic tools such as digital scans and X-rays to evaluate the current state of your teeth. For those seeking Invisalign treatment in Reno, this stage is indispensable for determining suitability and mapping out an individualized treatment plan. Our team’s knowledge enables us to present a realistic timeline and projected outcomes, setting a foundation for successful orthodontic care.
Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split.
Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.
Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with Tooth-Colored Restorations.
There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.
Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!
The result is a beautiful smile!
You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations (onlays). This process requires two appointments.
At the Lab: A resin is carefully placed into the model of your teeth. It is then designed to look natural.
Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!
Modern dentistry offers superior alternatives to outdated silver fillings that compromise both the strength and appearance of your teeth. At White Pine Family Dental, our tooth-colored restorations provide a solution that seamlessly blends with your natural teeth while delivering exceptional durability and protection.
We prioritize your health and safety by using only the highest quality tooth-colored materials that contain fluoride to help prevent future decay. Our skilled dental team in Reno combines artistry with advanced dental technology to create restorations that are virtually undetectable while strengthening your tooth structure. Don’t let damaged teeth or unsightly silver fillings affect your confidence or oral health. Call White Pine Family Dental today at (775) 871-1186 or contact us online to schedule your consultation and discover how beautiful, strong tooth-colored fillings can transform your smile.
Several filling materials serve different needs. Composite resin (tooth-colored) matches natural color, bonds to tooth structure, ideal for visible areas, lasts 5-10 years, costs $150-$300. Amalgam (silver) is extremely durable lasting 10-15 years, least expensive at $75-$200, ideal for back molars, but visible and contains mercury (FDA considers safe). Gold offers unmatched durability (20-30+ years), never chips, preserves tooth structure, but visible and expensive ($500-$4,500). Porcelain provides excellent aesthetics, stain-resistant, durable 10-15 years, but expensive ($500-$4,500) and brittle. Glass ionomer releases fluoride, ideal for children or below-gumline cavities, weaker lasting 5 years, costs $75-$200. Choice depends on cavity location, size, aesthetic priorities, budget, and allergies. At White Pine Family Dental, we’ll recommend the optimal material.
Filling lifespan varies by material: amalgam 10-15 years, gold 20-30+ years, composite resin 5-10 years, porcelain 10-15 years, and glass ionomer 5 years or less. Individual results depend on filling size (larger wear faster), location (back teeth endure more stress), oral hygiene quality, diet (acidic foods and grinding accelerate wear), and dentist skill. Signs needing replacement include visible cracks, chips or wear, tooth sensitivity to temperature or sweets, pain when biting, filling feels rough or has sharp edges, dark lines around edges (indicates leakage or decay), visible gaps, or filling falling out. Regular six-month checkups allow early detection through examination and X-rays. Failed fillings require prompt replacement—untreated allows bacteria penetration causing deeper decay potentially requiring root canal or extraction. Contact White Pine Family Dental if you suspect filling problems.
Filling costs vary by material, size, and location. Amalgam costs $75-$200 per tooth (least expensive), composite resin $150-$300, glass ionomer $75-$200, porcelain $500-$4,500, and gold $500-$4,500 (requiring multiple appointments). Prices apply to simple, single-surface fillings—larger cavities cost more. Additional costs may include exam ($50-$200), X-rays ($25-$250), anesthesia (usually included), or sedation ($200-$600). Most insurance covers 80% of filling costs after deductible, though some plans only cover amalgam for back teeth while requiring patients pay difference for composite. Typical annual maximums run $1,000-$2,000. Coverage usually applies when medically necessary—cosmetic replacements may not be covered. Children’s insurance often covers 100% of preventive services including fillings. White Pine Family Dental verifies coverage and maximizes benefits before treatment—call (775) 871-1186.
The American Dental Association, FDA, and public health agencies affirm amalgam fillings are safe for most people despite containing 50% mercury. When combined with silver, tin, and copper, mercury’s properties change making it stable and non-toxic. Over 150 years of use and research found no credible evidence linking amalgam to Alzheimer’s, autism, or multiple sclerosis. However, FDA recommends certain populations avoid new amalgam when alternatives exist: pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under 6, people with neurological conditions or impaired kidney function, and those with mercury allergies (less than 1% of population). Removing healthy amalgam solely for mercury concerns is not recommended—removal releases more mercury vapor than leaving in place, costs unnecessarily, and requires removing healthy tooth structure. Only replace when fillings fail, crack, or develop decay. White Pine Family Dental offers both amalgam and tooth-colored options—we’ll discuss pros and cons.
Getting a filling shouldn’t be painful because we numb the area with local anesthesia before starting. You may feel slight pinch during injection, then numbness sets in within minutes. During procedure, you’ll feel pressure, drill vibration, and water spray, but no pain. Process involves administering anesthesia (2-3 minutes), removing decay (5-20 minutes depending on size), cleaning cavity, and placing filling (10-30 minutes). Composite fillings require additional steps: acid etching, bonding agent, layering material, curing with blue light, and shaping. Total time: 20 minutes to 1 hour for simple filling. Post-procedure, numbness lasts 1-4 hours—avoid eating until sensation returns. Slight temperature sensitivity for few days is normal. Bite may feel “high” initially but settles within days. Most patients resume normal activities immediately. Contact White Pine Family Dental if severe pain develops or filling feels persistently high.
Untreated cavities progressively worsen, leading to serious complications and higher costs. Early stage: small enamel cavity causes no pain, easily treated with simple filling ($150-$300), preserves maximum tooth structure. Moderate stage: decay reaches dentin causing sensitivity, requires larger filling, loses some structure. Advanced stage: decay approaches nerve causing pain, may require root canal ($700-$1,500) plus crown ($1,000-$3,000)—totaling $1,700-$4,500 versus $150-$300 for early filling. Severe stage: infection reaches pulp creating abscess, causes severe pain, swelling, fever, requires emergency treatment, risks spreading to jaw or bloodstream (potentially life-threatening). Final stage: tooth too compromised to save, requires extraction ($75-$650) plus replacement with bridge ($2,000-$5,000) or implant ($3,000-$6,000). Cavities never heal—they only grow. Untreated decay spreads to adjacent teeth. Early intervention at White Pine Family Dental prevents escalation—call (775) 871-1186 if experiencing tooth sensitivity.
Most standard fillings are completed in one appointment lasting 20 minutes to one hour, depending on complexity, surfaces involved, and material chosen. Simple fillings (one surface, small cavity) take 20-30 minutes. Moderate fillings (2-3 surfaces, medium cavity) take 30-45 minutes. Complex fillings (large cavities, multiple surfaces) take 45-60+ minutes. Multiple fillings same appointment are possible and often more efficient if in same area—one numbing session serves all—though dentists typically fill 2-4 teeth per visit maximum. Indirect fillings (inlays/onlays) require two appointments: first for preparation and impressions (45 minutes), lab fabrication (1-2 weeks), second for placement (30 minutes). Same-day ceramic fillings using CEREC technology can be completed in one extended appointment (90-120 minutes). Most patients resume normal activities immediately. Schedule efficiently at White Pine Family Dental to address multiple cavities in fewer appointments.
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Phone: (775) 825-6655
Fax: (775) 825-8691
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