Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings can help our patients avoid a number of issues often associated with mercury (amalgam) fillings, which can affect the health of your mouth, as well as your overall health. In addition to the health risks and environmental issues associated with silver or mercury amalgam fillings, they can lead to cracks in your teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to leak underneath and cause recurring cavities and decay. Dr. Cathy Santone and Dr. Megan Dietz take a conservative approach to tooth-colored fillings and all of their dental procedures, concentrating on preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.

Contact Dr. Cathy Santone and Dr. Megan Dietz at Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry in North County for more information on tooth-colored fillings.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

At our health-conscious and eco-friendly cosmetic dentistry practice, Dr. Santone and Dr. Dietz only use tooth-colored, mercury-free fillings to restore teeth and correct injuries. One significant reason they prefer tooth-colored, or white, fillings is because the mercury contained in the metal fillings can be potentially dangerous, and requires hazardous waste disposal. By eliminating the use of the amalgam fillings, our dentists are doing their part to protect the environment while providing patients with a safe, effective solution to protect their teeth against tooth decay.

The composite resin fillings or porcelain restorations are bonded to your teeth, which helps strengthen and reinforce your teeth. In addition, the tooth-colored fillings also require less tooth removal, leaving more of your healthy tooth structure in your mouth. As white fillings are more natural-looking than their metal counterparts, our patients can also improve the overall cosmetic appearance of their smiles.