602-954-8200
Safe & Stunning Dental Cavity Filling in Phonix, AZ
For many decades, silver fillings were the main treatment for cavities, also known as dental caries. Cavities are a type of dental decay that erodes a portion of the tooth. Silver amalgam fillings are composed of metal that contains liquid mercury, silver, copper, and tin. Over the years, patients and dental physicians sought alternative solutions to traditional fillings, both for cosmetic reasons and overall health concerns.
Advances in dental treatment have created several safe and attractive options for patients with cavities. At Biltmore Dental Center in Phoenix, Dr. Frost is a board-certified Doctor of Dental Surgery with extensive training and experience in all aspects of dentistry, including cosmetic treatments.
Dr. Frost offers our patients white composite fillings or porcelain inlays or onlays for the best aesthetic results. Undetectable and effective, these fillings protect the tooth and enhance a patient’s smile.
White Fillings
Composed of glass and resin, white fillings restore decayed teeth and may be used to correct other imperfections such as gaps, discoloration, and oddly shaped teeth. Conventional silver fillings are simply placed into the hole in the tooth and they may lead to weakening or fractures over time as the metals contract and expand. Composite resin, custom-blended to match a patient’s tooth color, is bonded to the tooth, which provides additional support and stability.
Porcelain Fillings
Natural porcelain is considered an ideal material for dental treatment because the material is stain resistant, reflects light, and reacts to temperature variances similarly to tooth enamel. Depending upon the location and extent of the damage from decay, Dr. Frost may recommend an inlay or onlay, which may also be referred to as indirect fillings. Inlays and onlays do not shrink and they are bonded directly to the tooth for a durable, strong, and attractive restoration.
- Inlays – when the cavity or decay is too large for a composite filling to repair, inlays treat the tooth area between the cusps
- Onlays – if the damage to the tooth extends beyond the cusp, an onlay may be recommended
To determine which option is the best solution for each patient, Dr. Frost conducts a comprehensive consultation and evaluation, and custom-tailors a treatment plan. For more information about fillings, cosmetic dentistry, or general dental care, contact Biltmore Dental Center today at (602) 704-0659. We are located in Phoenix at 4202 North 32nd Street.