Metal Free Restorations

Metal free restorations are fillings, crowns and bridges made with materials besides metal. They are instead commonly made with a material called porcelain. This material is made naturally and is designed in such a way that it is accepted by the body system. Just some decades back, using composite materials for dental procedures wasn't so common because of lack of technological advancements, but in recent times things are totally different and in this article, you'll find out why.

How Do Metal Free Restorations Work?

The way the device is placed in the mouth is dependent on the specific dental procedure you're seeking at that time. For example, closing of gaps, repairing chipped teeth and cavity fillings can be done in just a single visit to the dentist. With more involved procedures you can have your metal free restorations set in two or three appointments. As is common with most metal free treatments, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned to avoid remnants of any plaque or decay.

The process begins with the dentist scraping off a part of the enamel. Our dental center here in Las Vegas are all well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, so the next step is very straightforward. The dentist uses our advanced scanning technology to take digital impressions of your smile. The data received from the machine is then processed by our milling section and a permanent restoration is created immediately.

Before the dentist attaches your restoration, he or she will make sure the fitting is perfectly synchronized with your bite and that you're happy with what you see. You just have to wait for it to bond and then you can go on with the rest of your activities with a new and improved smile.

Benefits of Metal Free Restoration

1. Comfortability: The first thing to note when it comes to the appearance of your restoration is the fact that it looks exactly like the enamel of a normal tooth. They blend so well that even if someone stands right next to you, it would be tough for them to notice any difference in your teeth. The material used in making the restoration is also light reflective therefore completing the look of your smile.

2. Strength and Durability: Porcelain, which is one of the materials used in making metal free fillings, is very durable and has a lifespan of about ten years before the need to change them. Metal fillings are notorious for having leakages and these occur due to shrinkage of the metal. This allows for organisms such as bacteria to slip into the spaces between the tooth and the filling. With composite fillings this is avoided, and they also double down by helping strengthen a chipped or weak tooth.

3. Absence of Mercury: Not only does it have a similar appearance to the teeth, but it is also far healthier than using normal metallic fillings due to the fact that it is completely devoid of the element mercury. The American Dental Association lets us know that every form of metal filling has some amount of mercury in it although the amount present is safe for humans. While the amounts might not be enough to adversely affect your health, most people are still not comfortable knowing that the substance is present at all. When using composite materials such as the ones used in metal free restorations you totally avoid the possibility of coming in contact with mercury. This is another excellent reason why you should visit our dentists in Summerlin and get yourself the best fillings available and also get screened for possible reaction to mercury and other forms of metals. According to many scientists, mercury exposed in public can cause a host of neurological issues as well as brain damage particularly in young children and unborn babies so staying far away from it is advised. This directly brings us to its relevance amongst pregnant women as they don't have to wait until they give birth before taking good care of their oral hygiene. Thanks to metal free restorations, even those with pregnancy can enjoy the metal free filling without having to worry about the effects on their unborn offspring.

4. Price: Last but definitely not the least is the cost-effectiveness of getting metal free restorations. Metallic fillings tend to be far more expensive because more material is used, and the process is a bit more physically tedious. Some clients also prefer using expensive materials such as gold and silver as metallic implants. When it comes to composite fillings however, the materials used are more price friendly. You don't need that much material to fill a tooth when you're using resin materials and as such porcelain crowns and veneers are very affordable.

How to Take Care of Metal Free Restorations

Now that you know the advantages of getting composite teeth filling as opposed to metallic ones, the next thing to know is how to take care of your fillings and how to best maximize them.

1. Avoid Grinding Your Teeth: Some people have a compulsive habit of constantly grinding their teeth together while others grind them from time to time for no reason whatsoever. Needless to say, this is not healthy for your teeth or for your dental fillings.

2. Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Porcelain is a material that was designed to be stain resistant and for the most part, it is. It however changes color overtime and this is largely unavoidable. That being said, ingestion of foods that stain the teeth won't really help your fillings, so you have to make a conscious effort to watch the things you eat.

3. Good Overall Dental Hygiene: Taking good care of your oral hygiene goes a long way in prolonging the life of your metal free restorative filling. Frequent brushing and flossing keeps the teeth free from stain causing organisms and also prevents the accumulation of plaque and the possibility of decay.

4. Don't Bite Hard Objects: Using your teeth to open bottles, cans and the like are terrible for your restoration. Using your teeth on tough food such as meat, nuts or even chewing ice could also ruin your restoration.

Conclusion

The world is evolving every day and technology just keeps getting better and better. Gone are the days where metal fillings were the only means of successful dental restoration. Most people around the world have turned to composite fillings as the go-to with regards to dental procedures. To know more about metal free restorations and how to get them, you can visit our website today and have all your lingering questions answered. We’d love to speak with you and take care of all your dental needs!