Mercury Free Dentistry

Due to the many health hazards posed by mercury amalgam fillings, Advanced Smile Designs is a mercury free dental practice. Santa Cruz County cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Forsberg offers a variety of dental restoration options that provide our patients with a higher quality end result that will not pose any threats to their health.

The Dangers of Mercury Amalgam Fillings

While mercury amalgam fillings are still approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in dental restorations, there is growing evidence that mercury may lead to oral health complications in the future. As a result, we do not use mercury amalgam fillings in any of our dental restorations.

Mercury fillings expand and contract in your tooth based on temperature changes. This process can eventually weaken your tooth structure, causing breakage or tooth decay. Mercury fillings also require the removal of a large portion of your tooth. Your dentist will need to drill into the soft dentin layer of your tooth to insert your mercury filling. This process may damage healthy tooth structure surrounding the decayed area, weakening your tooth by as much as 75%. If your tooth eventually fractures, it may require a root canal or dental crown.

Alternatives to Mercury Amalgam Fillings

Dr. Forsberg offers the following options for dental fillings:

• Tooth-colored restorations made out of porcelain
• Tooth-colored restorations made out of composite resins

At your initial consultation, Dr. Forsberg will discuss the various options available to you and based on your tooth pathology and desired goals, he will work with you to cater your treatment to your individual dental needs.

Advantages of Porcelain/Composite Dental Restorations

Porcelain and composite restorations offer the following advantages over mercury amalgam fillings:

• Porcelain / composite restorations bond to your tooth, while mercury amalgam fillings do not. Therefore, composite restorations strengthen the tooth, while mercury fillings weaken it, increasing the chance of tooth fracture.
• Porcelain / composite restorations closely resemble the natural appearance of your tooth and are less noticeable to others, whereas mercury fillings are easily noticeable.
• Porcelain / composite restorations are less sensitive to hot and cold than mercury fillings.
• Porcelain / composite fillings remove less tooth structure than mercury fillings, reducing the likelihood of future tooth decay and fracture.

To learn more about the benefits of mercury free tooth restorations, please contact Aptos cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Forsberg of Advanced Smile Designs today to schedule your metal-free filling consultation. Our practice serves patients in Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, California.