Metal-Free Restorations – Lakeville, MA

Dental decay and trauma are a fact of life for most people. Even individuals who have excellent oral hygiene habits may find themselves suffering from a cavity or two once in a while. In the past, dentists always repaired teeth with metals such as silver, gold, or silver amalgam. While such materials are effective at fortifying teeth, they come with some significant downsides — including the fact that they look nothing like natural tooth enamel. Fortunately, our practice offers metal-free restorations in Lakeville. We can repair your smile without marring its appearance!

What Are Metal-Free Restorations?

A restoration is a crown, bridge, filling, inlay, or onlay — basically, any dental prosthesis that repairs or replaces a tooth. Metal-free restorations are those that are made out of a composite resin, zirconia, or porcelain. These materials closely resemble the look and feel of natural teeth, so when they are in place and properly shaped, they blend in seamlessly with the dentition around them.

Benefits of Metal-Free Restorations

Some of the most outstanding benefits of metal-free restorations include:

• Improved confidence. You won’t have to worry that dark or overly shiny metals will distract your friends and family members from enjoying your smile’s natural radiance.
• Metal-free restorations work well with the human body, and allergies to them are almost nonexistent.
• A composite resin dental filling typically lasts for at least five years. A porcelain restoration may last for 10 years or longer before it needs to be replaced.
• Stain resistance. Dental porcelain and zirconia are resistant to stains, so you can be confident that they’ll maintain their beauty for many years.
• Comparable pricing. The cost of metal-free restorations is not significantly higher than that of their old-fashioned metal counterparts. The majority of dental insurance plans cover metal-free restorations.
• No increased sensitivity. Metals have a high thermal conductivity, which means they can make the teeth underneath them more sensitive to temperature changes. Metal-free restorations don’t have this problem.

What Can I Expect During the Treatment Process?

The treatment process for metal-free restorations may involve up to three basic steps:

• Your dentist in Lakeville removes any decayed portions of the tooth. When placing a crown, they may also have to remove some of the healthy enamel to make sure the restoration fits well. Local anesthesia ensures that the preparation phase of treatment is comfortable for patients.
• For a crown, inlay, or onlay, your dentist must take impressions of your teeth and use those impressions to design your restoration. Then, you may need to wear a temporary restoration for a time while a dental laboratory creates your permanent one. (This step isn’t necessary for fillings, which can be placed in a single appointment.)
• For a tooth-colored filling, your dentist will simply insert the flexible composite resin into the cavity, harden it with a special light, and shape the filling so it complements your natural bite. For other types of restorations, the dentist will first make sure it fits well before using a special cement to attach it to your tooth.

Would you like to learn more about how metal-free restorations could help your smile? Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.