Bonded Fillings

Bonded fillings are the modern replacement of mercury/silver/amalgam fillings. Whereas silver fillings are placed into a tooth using retention or undercuts and do not completely seal the tooth, bonded fillings use carefully formulated adhesives to seal the open portions of the tooth. Old silver fillings actually begin to cause damage to a tooth after many years of use because the amalgam breaks down and shrinks over time, separating from the walls of the tooth. This leads to micro-leakage and decay formation underneath of the filling, as well as fractures and cracking of the surrounding tooth structure.

In order to prevent these destructive forces from leading to complex dental procedures or tooth loss old fillings showing signs of decay and leakage should be replaced. Bonded fillings are very technique sensitive and should ideally be placed with rubber dam isolation to prevent contamination. Dr. Wu and Dr. Dowd utilize state of the art materials and techniques for bonding. Caries dye is used to remove minimal amounts of tooth structure, leaving no decay behind. Antimicrobials and desensitizers are used to minimize sensitivity. Glycerine is used to obtain complete set-up of outer layers. For all of these technical reasons Signature Smiles of Woodinville is your best choice for bonded dental fillings in Bothell, Redmond or nearby areas in Washington.

Mercury Filling Removal

Amalgams have been used in dentistry for over 1400 years. The first people to use amalgam to fill cavities were the Chinese in the 7th century. However, in 1816 August Taveau developed a dental amalgam from silver coins and mercury that became the filling of choice. Current amalgams have approx 69% silver, 26% tin, and small amounts of copper and zinc. The Mercury content of Amalgams by weight is approximately 45%. Although amalgams are more forgiving in a contaminated environment, they have certain disadvantages. They tend to fracture, corrode and break apart the teeth over time.

There has also been recent controversy concerning the mercury in amalgams. Although there has been no definitive link between the mercury in dental fillings and health issues, we at Signature Smiles have decided to avoid using amalgams. With modern materials, bonding and choices that can improve the aesthetics and function of your dentition, there is little reason to continue using amalgam. Dental fillings in Woodinville or Bothell, Washington can be done better, and that's what we're striving to do.

When removing these amalgams, we use a rubber dam barrier to prevent any contaminants from contacting the oral tissues. A high-speed suction and water irrigation removes the debris to minimize exposure.

Crowns

A crown is an artificial shell used to encase a tooth that is beyond repair with a resin filling. Crowns can be made of metal (gold alloys), ceramic, porcelain or a mixture of the three. Crowns are the strongest and most long lasting of treatments available for the restoration of a tooth. Signature Smiles is a safe choice when you need dental crowns in Woodinville, WA. Discerning patients have come to know and rely on us for our services in this area.

Dental Crowns Woodinville - Indications:

A large cavity (50% or more of the tooth is removed) and a resin filling has a poor prognosis.

After a root canal treatment: to strengthen and protect the existing tooth. After a root canal, the tooth is no longer vital, causing it to become extremely brittle and prone to fracture. Crowns are placed on teeth which have had a root canal treatment to extend the life of the tooth.

To restore excessively worn down or cracked teeth from grinding or other trauma. Wearing a Night Guard can prevent this from happening.