Tooth-coloured composite fillings have largely replaced silver amalgam as the preferred material for restoring cavities at modern dental practices. At Aster Dental Centre in SE Edmonton, Dr. Khushali Bhanushali, DDS, place mercury-free, shade-matched composite fillings at 1265 Aster Blvd that blend naturally with surrounding tooth structure and can be completed in a single 30 to 60 minute appointment. The practice serves patients across Tamarack, Crystallina Nera, Summerside, and SE Edmonton.
The tooth-coloured filling process at Aster Dental Centre begins with local anaesthetic to ensure comfort. The dentist removes the decayed tooth structure, cleans the cavity, and applies a bonding agent to help the composite resin adhere to the remaining tooth. The composite is then placed in layers, each hardened with a curing light in seconds, until the cavity is fully restored.
The bite is checked and adjusted before the appointment ends to ensure the filling does not interfere with how your teeth come together. Most patients are numb for 1 to 2 hours after the appointment. The filling is fully hardened when you leave the chair and can be used immediately once sensation returns. One appointment, no temporaries.
Tooth-coloured composite fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure than traditional amalgam because composite bonds directly to the tooth. Amalgam fillings rely on mechanical retention and require the cavity to be shaped in a way that holds the silver in place, which sometimes means removing more natural tooth than is strictly necessary for the filling to function.
Composite is mercury-free, which is a meaningful consideration for many patients in Edmonton. Amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury by weight, though Health Canada has concluded that the levels released from amalgam fillings are not harmful for most patients. At Aster Dental Centre, composite is our standard filling material for most cases. Amalgam may still be considered for large cavities in back molars where composite wear resistance is a factor.
With proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups, composite fillings at Aster Dental Centre typically last 10 to 15 years. Larger fillings in high-stress areas may require replacement sooner. Grinding can accelerate wear on composite restorations, which is one reason patients with bruxism are encouraged to use a nightguard.
At annual check-ups, Dr. Bhanushali evaluates every filling for marginal integrity. Fillings with early breakdown are caught before they allow new decay to form underneath. Replacing a small filling before it fails completely is almost always preferable to letting decay progress to the point where a crown is needed.
Yes. Aster Dental Centre replaces old silver amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite for patients who prefer the natural appearance. The process is similar to placing a new filling: old amalgam is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and composite is bonded in layers. The result is a restoration that matches the natural colour of the tooth and removes the silver appearance from the smile.
Not every silver filling needs to be replaced. Amalgam fillings that are intact, show no signs of decay underneath, and are functioning well do not need to be removed on aesthetic grounds alone. The dentist will give you an honest assessment of which fillings warrant replacement and which are best left alone.
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