Porcelain Fillings vs. Metal Fillings

Los Angeles, California

Modern dentistry has brought with it many technological advances, including the use of more natural-looking materials to treat cavities.

Once, the use of metal fillings was the only choice for treating cavities, especially those covering a large portion of a tooth’s surface. This led to unappealing spots of black and silver in a patient’s mouth. Chances are, you have some of those in your mouth right now.

But today, composite porcelain fillings provide an aesthetically pleasing, just-as-durable choice.

Always dedicated to the most advanced general and cosmetic dentistry available, Los Angeles Dentist Dr. Dell Goodrick is pleased to provide his patients the option of porcelain fillings over metal fillings. Let us talk with you about your choices, and together we will determine the best solution for your specific dental needs.

About Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or “ceramic” fillings. They are typically made out of tiny particles of glass/porcelain that are embedded in acrylic. 

Advancements in the makeup of porcelain fillings mean that they are now strong enough to withstand normal, long-term wear and tear on the tooth. Porcelain fillings can even be used on back molars, which take the brunt of chewing force.

Also, porcelain fillings allow Dr. Goodrick to keep as much of the healthy tooth structure surrounding a cavity as possible. Metal fillings, on the other hand, often mean removing a larger portion of tooth structure.

In addition, porcelain fillings, unlike metal fillings, do not expand and contract over time. (That expansion and contraction can eventually weaken teeth.)

But of course, one of the best benefits of porcelain fillings it that they can closely match a tooth’s natural color and luster, similar to the way porcelain veneers do.

Replacing Metal Fillings

If you are like so many of our patients, you may be interested in replacing some of your metal fillings with porcelain ones.

Doing so would improve the appearance of your teeth. And it can also help strengthen teeth that were compromised or even cracked by those earlier metal fillings and their expansion/contraction properties.

If you would like to discuss the advantages of porcelain fillings, and even the possibility of replacing your old metal fillings to improve your smile, we can answer your questions in detail. If you are in the Los Angeles, California metro area, please contact dentist Dr. Dell Goodrick today.