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FAQ: Amalgam Fillings

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Amalgam Fillings Ask The Dentist Ron Briglia

Amalgam Fillings Ask The Dentist Ron Briglia

Question:
Saving Money: I have a tooth that is one-quarter chipped. The tooth is already one half amalgam and the amalgam is what is chipped.

If all the amalgam is ground away I am sure I will need a crown. Is it possible to combine amalgam and composite to avoid the high cost of a crown? The amalgam that is left seems to be ok. ...Visitor from WI

Answer:
Yes it is possible to patch up a tooth with amalgam (silver) in it for a short term fix.

However, the fact that your tooth seems to be mostly silver is probably the reason it is breaking down. Huge fillings usually start out as small fillings when they were first done.
Each time that tooth is refilled due to decay or breakage more of your tooth is prepared away to make room for the larger restoration. Eventually it gets to the point that there is more filling than tooth left.

Although it is more of an investment to protect your weakened tooth with an onlay or crown of porcelain or gold, it is the best choice long-term. An onlay or crown goes around the tooth, similar to how a thimble goes over a thumb. If the crown of onlay is made well it can hold up and take the forces of chewing for many years.

Thats assuming of course that you are brushing and flossing around your crown restoration every day!

ComfortableDental.com
Ron Briglia, DMD
Chester County Medical Building
600 East Marshall Street, Suite 201
West Chester Pennsylvania PA 19380
(610) 692-4440

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