This month, I decided to choose a relatively straightforward case. In this case, old fillings were starting to break, leading to leaky margin and recurrent decay. Again, prevention and regular dental visits are the best way to prevent more expensive and complicated dental treatments. If recurrent decay was not discovered in a timely matter, then the decay could spread further which could lead to root canal therapy or even extraction with dental implants.
In this case, we decided to replace the fillings with resin. There are definitely other choices including inlay, onlay and crown, but the final decision was made after discussion with the patient. Unless there is some specific reason, we try to avoid using amalgam fillings in our clinic for various reasons. Amalgam fillings are aesthetically inferior, leak mercury over time, are hazardous to dispose of and are not environmental friendly. Amalgam fillings are actually outlawed in many developed countries already. However, in the rare case that amalgam is needed, we have it as a choice.
The older system to perform fillings involve Tofflemire band, which worked well until the newer ring-type system came along. The ring-type system does take a little longer time and more skill to perform; however, it produces better contour and dental anatomy as a result. Ultimately, everything is dependent on the dentist's attention to detail and skill, cost, practicality, and patient's expectation.
In this case, we decided to replace the fillings with resin. There are definitely other choices including inlay, onlay and crown, but the final decision was made after discussion with the patient. Unless there is some specific reason, we try to avoid using amalgam fillings in our clinic for various reasons. Amalgam fillings are aesthetically inferior, leak mercury over time, are hazardous to dispose of and are not environmental friendly. Amalgam fillings are actually outlawed in many developed countries already. However, in the rare case that amalgam is needed, we have it as a choice.
The older system to perform fillings involve Tofflemire band, which worked well until the newer ring-type system came along. The ring-type system does take a little longer time and more skill to perform; however, it produces better contour and dental anatomy as a result. Ultimately, everything is dependent on the dentist's attention to detail and skill, cost, practicality, and patient's expectation.
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