For a long time, patients had only two choices for dental fillings: amalgam (silver) and gold.

Amalgam fillings have been a mainstay in dentistry for 150 years.  With probably billions of restorations placed worldwide, amalgam has proven itself safe and durable.  Unfortunately, it's black!  Besides it's unsightly color, there are several other drawbacks to amalgam.  Amalgam is packed into teeth while soft then hardens, “locking” itself in place.  It doesn't bond to teeth; it just “fills the hole”, providing little strength or support.  In addition, the shaping needed to “lock in” the filling often requires additional removal of tooth structure which may weaken teeth and leave them more prone to breaking.

Gold fillings (inlays and onlays) have long been regarded as very durable restorations, and in some cases the best option.  Unfortunately, the gold color makes them cosmetically unacceptable for many patients.

Modern dental materials and techniques now give patients another choice...White Fillings.

There are generally two types of White Filling material:  composite resin or porcelain.  White Fillings offer several advantages over gold and amalgam.  They're tooth-colored.  They're metal-free.  They chemically bond to teeth allowing  more conservative shaping.  Together, the chemical bond and conservative shape provides support and can strengthen teeth.  And, of course, they look amazing!

Composite resin is a high-tech plastic containing tiny ceramic particles that provide durability and a glossy shine.  In a single visit, it is placed directly into the tooth and hardened.  It is strong enough to be used to fix back teeth and beautiful enough to fix front teeth.  Composite resin is most appropriate for smaller restorations.

Porcelain fillings (inlays and onlays) have traditionally been made in a dental laboratory, much like crowns, requiring at least two visits usually two weeks apart.  Not anymore in my office!  These durable and drop-dead gorgeous restorations can now be completed in just one appointment using the E4D CAD/CAM system.  No more rough, bulky temporaries that fall out on Friday night!  No additional time off work and no second round of numbness!  Porcelain inlays and onlays are most appropriate for larger restorations that aren't quite big enough to be crowned.

To see photographs of actual cases done by Dr. Klein, click here