Dental "fillings" are used to repair relatively small areas of decay on front and back teeth. At Progressive Dental we do fillings in two types of material; amalgam, also known as silver, or metal fillings. The second type of filling material we use are called composite fillings. Composites are also called white fillings or plastic fillings. Amalgam fillings have been used for over 100 years. Amalgam fillings have several excellent qualities that make them a popular restoration even in the twenty-first century. Amalgam is strong and long lasting, Amalgam fillings are often covered by dental plans at a higher percentage than other materials. Amalgam has several characteristics that also make it less desirable when compared to composite, or white fillings. Lets face it, as strong and long lasting as silver fillings are, most of us don't find them attractive. The other controversy over amalgam fillings is that mercury is used in the reaction that makes the filling hard. The mercury in fillings, while never shown to cause any health problems at all, is still a concern to many people concerned about mercury exposure.

Due to these reasons, a newer filling material has risen to the forefront. Composite fillings are now the most placed restoration in our practice.  Composites have many excellent qualities. First, and most obviously they look great. All things being equal, most people agree that tooth colored restorations look far superior to metal restorations.   Composites also are long lasting. Year after year new generations of composite material are introduced by the dental industry, each is a substantial improvement over the previous generation.  Dental decay repaired with composite filling material often require less tooth reduction (drilling) than amalgam fillings do.  Composite material also chemically bonds to the tooth structure, actually making the remaining tooth structure stronger. Composites are metal free. The health concerns of the mercury in amalgam fillings are not a factor when using composite material. Composites are fully cured, or hardened, as soon as you leave the office. You can eat, drink as soon as you want to. Dental benefit plans often pay for composite fillings. Co-pays differ between individual employers and insurance companies, so our insurance specialists can contact your benefit provider to ascertain exactly what your benefits are.