Your dental work should never compromise the health or appearance of your smile. Isn't that the opposite of what you want from treatment? Unfortunately, amalgam fillings can detract from beautiful teeth. In addition to lessening your smile's shine, amalgam's dark metal alloy contains small amounts of mercury, leaving many searching for an alternative. The good news: amalgam is no longer the only option for patients seeking aesthetic fillings. Dr. Kim Okamura offers composite fillings and porcelain dental restorations to repair all manner of decay and dental damage.

What Is Mercury-Free Dentistry?

Dental amalgam was long the filling material of choice. An alloy of several metals (silver, tin, and copper), it employs mercury as a binding agent. Amalgam was once popular for both its low cost and durability. In our modern era of natural products and an emphasis on transparent ingredients/construction, amalgam's mercury content has caused many alarm. Ongoing research into amalgam's potential danger has yet to arrive at a definitive conclusion, but those concerned about the potential buildup of mercury in the body have hoped for new filling options.

We say, why wait for bad news? Composite fillings accomplish the work of amalgam without exposing patients to any mercury. At the same time, dental composite is a vast aesthetic improvement - its tooth-colored material will be perfectly matched to your natural tooth color, leaving fillings invisible. Your dental work should strengthen and beautify your smile, not broadcast itself to the world. Providing composite fillings allows Dr. Okamura to practice dentistry that is both cosmetic and restorative.

Getting Composite Fillings in Seattle

Applying dental composite to teeth is also known as "dental bonding." The bonding process is quick and simple: it can be completed in just one appointment. After preparing the tooth for a filling (by removing decay or reshaping the tooth's structure), Dr. Okamura will shape the composite chairside and bond it in place. The bonding will then be hardened with a special light. You'll leave the office with a fresh, decay-free smile in place.

Other Metal-Free Treatment Options

  • Porcelain veneers - If a tooth has suffered significant damage (from a blow to the tooth) or decay, dental bonding may not suffice. Porcelain restorations are hardier and longer-lasting, and offer similar aesthetics. Veneers are v-shaped restorations that sit over natural teeth, creating a new external layer. Their porcelain material and construction allows them to be quite thin, reducing the need for tooth prep prior to placement. Veneers can accomplish so much for a smile. They're typically right for front teeth, where they can transform your teeth. Whether your front teeth have been compromised or you're seeking a cosmetic makeover, veneers are able to straighten, whiten, rebuild, and lengthen.

  • Porcelain crowns - Crowns are more substantial than veneers. A crown is a cap that fits over a natural tooth. Once in place, it rebuilds lost structure and protects the permanent tooth beneath. Porcelain comes in a wide array of shades, and your crown will be matched to your natural tooth color. It will blend neatly with your other teeth.

If you currently have amalgam fillings or other dental work, it's possible to switch them for a composite or porcelain solution. Updating your dental work will refresh both it and your entire smile. Get in touch with our office to learn more about your cosmetic and restorative options, and prepare to bid farewell to those dark spots in your smile.

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Dr. Kim Okamura

I'm Dr. Kim Okamura and this blog is a product of my love of dentistry. I dedicate it to all the patients I have served so that they may better understand my craft. The information here will give you and others the power to maintain and protect one of your most priceless gifts ... your SMILE.