Restoring Your Teeth with Fillings

Gone are the days when you have to be embarrassed by the ugly silver/black fillings in your teeth! Modern technology has allowed us to place natural, strong, long-lasting tooth-colored fillings that restore your tooth to it’s original beauty. Not only are tooth-colored fillings more attractive, but are mercury-free, and are much better for your teeth. Dr. Ahlbrecht can place for you dental fillings that blend in with your natural enamel from his Indianapolis practice.

beautiful smiling dark haired woman laying on a pillow

An old-fashioned amalgam (silver) filling is made up of 50% mercury, and 50% silver and other metals. The mercury expands and contracts with hot and cold, causing many teeth to eventually crack and fracture. This can lead to pain, the potential need for root canals, and later extensive restorations or tooth loss. White fillings contain no mercury, so expand and contract minimally with temperature extremes. In addition, they are actually strongly bonded to your tooth, adding strength back to your tooth. The result is much less opportunity for cracking and fracture. Because Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht firmly believes black silver amalgam is a poor restorative material, we do not offer it as an option in our office, and have not placed an amalgam in many years.

Filling Options

Porcelain Fillings

Inlays and onlays are the most state-of-the-art, strongest fillings available. The are precisely crafted in a dental lab to give you the most esthetic, strongest restoration available. Porcelain is especially preferable if your filling is large, due to it’s protective qualities.

Composite Resin Fillings

They’re also called white restorations. Unlike porcelain, they require no lab fabrication. The dentist fills the cavity with a resin paste, which is hardened and bonded to your tooth by exposure to a high intensity curing light. These are not as strong or durable as porcelain, and usually require more frequent replacement.

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are an option for patients who prefer a metal filling. Gold is an excellent filling material, but has two drawbacks: they do not match the color of the tooth, and they can’t be bonded to teeth. They are very durable, but are often not as protective to the tooth.

As with most dental restorations, good hygiene care is essential for long lasting results. Proper brushing and flossing, and regular dental visits are critical to maintaining excellent oral health.

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Nick E.


Indianapolis Office

8902 N Meridian St
Ste 102
Indianapolis, IN 46260

Open Today 7:00am - 6:00pm


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