Fillings Specialist

What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth?

First, Dr. Halaka will numb the area around the tooth to be filled with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as location and extent of the decay.

Next, Dr. Halaka will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, Dr. Halaka will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, Dr. Halaka may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, Dr. Halaka will finish and polish it.

Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After Dr. Halaka has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that "cures" or hardens each layer is applied. When the multilayering process is completed, Dr. Halaka will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off any excess material, and polish the final restoration.

Silver Fillings (Amalgams)

Mercury-Free dentists know that it is not possible to separate oral health from the total health of the body. Using amalgam fillings (silver fillings), which contain between 43% to 55% pure elemental mercury, can expose the health of the patient and the health of the dentist to the risk of toxic material and to mercury vapor. Mercury is well known as one of the most poisonous, naturally occurring elements known to scientists today.

A large filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer. Mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature, and in this state, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. The World Health Organization has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person's body than all other sources of mercury combined. Mercury is a powerful poison. Published research demonstrates that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. No amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless. Especially considering its cumulative effect.

There are two types of indirect fillings - inlays and onlays.

• Inlays are similar to fillings but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth.
  
• Onlays are more extensive than inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns.

Inlays and onlays are more durable and last much longer than traditional fillings - up to 30 years. They can be made of tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain, or gold. Inlays and onlays weaken the tooth structure, but do so to a much lower extent than traditional fillings.