Mercury-Free Fillings

Smiles Peru uses two types of restorations in order to restore teeth with cavities or teeth with amalgam fillings: adhesive resins (tooth-colored fillings) and porcelain onlays/inlays. These tooth restorations not only look natural, but also make teeth resistant to future bacteria filtrations, which often occur with mercury fillings.

Just as important as eliminating cavities is the removal of amalgam fillings in the mouth. Mercury and “silver” amalgams (which actually contain up to 50% mercury) have been recommended to be phased out in Europe and are gradually being used less in the United States due to the toxicity of the materials. Furthermore, mercury and silver amalgam also make a very weak mechanical union with the tooth – allowing filtration of bacteria in 90% of cases. This makes the tooth more likely to need a root canal in the future.

Tooth-colored fillings with adhesive resins or porcelain onlays/inlays, on the other hand, make a chemical bond with the tooth, helping prevent future bacterial filtrations that could cause cavities beneath the reconstruction or a spontaneous pain in the treated tooth. Whether restoring teeth by filling new cavities, or replacing old amalgam fillings, Smiles Peru assures you your teeth will look and function like new. Contact us today for a filling price quote and to schedule an appointment.

If you are replacing amalgam fillings, an inlay or onlay will often be the recommended treatment due to the loss of much of the tooth structure during the placement of the original filling. If you are replacing dental amalgam with a porcelain onlay, Smiles Peru assures you this procedure will be carried out in a safe and responsible procedure, where we minimize the patient’s exposure to mercury. We use a high volume suction system to evacuate mercury particles and vapors, as well as a dental dam to prevent ingestion of mercury.

When tooth decay or fracture is so extensive that a direct restoration, such as a composite filling, would compromise the structural integrity of the restored tooth or provide substandard opposition to occlusal (i.e., biting) forces, an inlay may be necessary. Inlays are indirect restorations (filling) consisting of a solid substance fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place. Porcelain and gold inlays are popular choices at our Lima dental clinic. Inlays are used when a crown is not necessary, but a filling is insufficient to correct the problem.

Dental inlays and onlays are the same kind of restoration, but they cover different proportions of the tooth. A dental inlay fills the space in between the cusps, or rounded edges, at the center of the tooth’s surface. The dental onlay works like an inlay but covers one or more cusps or the entire biting surface of the tooth. Because of their extensive coverage, dental onlays are sometimes referred to as “partial crowns.” Like inlays, onlays are often made of porcelain or gold, and digitally designed using CEREC digital technology at our Lima dental clinic. Ceramic tooth filings help prevent future cavities underneath the reconstruction.  Contact us today for a free online consultation.