Amalgam
Replacement
Replace your old gray fillings with aesthetic and biocompatible restorations.
A rigorous protocol for the health of your smile.
Old Fillings:
Why replace them?
Dental amalgams (commonly called "silver fillings") are gray metal fillings containing silver, copper, tin, and mercury. While widely used in the past, they are no longer used today.
Over time, these materials undergo corrosion, lose their seal, and can cause micro-cracks on the underlying tooth due to thermal variations.
Their removal and replacement restore the tooth's original strength and natural appearance.
Reasons for removal
Several factors motivate the replacement of an amalgam:
- Aesthetics: Regain a natural smile without unsightly gray stains.
- Sealing: Treat recurrent cavities that often develop under defective old fillings.
- Precaution: Remove the presence of heavy metals in the mouth in favor of neutral materials.
Cracks and loss of seal
A sterile operating field
The systematic use of a dental dam (latex or latex-free) ensures perfect isolation of the tooth. It protects you while ensuring optimal bonding of the new restoration.
The Protocol:
Safe Removal
Removing an old filling requires rigorous precautions. Our practice applies a strict protocol to prevent any ingestion or inhalation of metal particles and vapors during drilling.
Patient protection
Before any intervention, we isolate the tooth with a dental dam. This sealed operating field prevents amalgam debris from falling into your mouth and avoids any contact with the mucous membranes.
Removal steps
- Powerful suction: Use of high-volume surgical suction positioned as close to the tooth as possible.
- Adapted drilling: Cutting the amalgam under abundant water spray to cool the material and block the emission of vapors.
- Sanitization: Total removal of the old material, cleaning of the cavity, and verification of the absence of recurrent decay.
The Reconstruction:
Biocompatibility & Aesthetics
Once the amalgam is removed and the tooth is sanitized, we restore it with latest-generation materials. The goal is to perfectly mimic the color and strength of natural enamel, without any metal.
The choice of restoration depends on the size of the cavity left by the old filling.
Metal-free alternatives
Composite: An aesthetic resin modeled directly in the chair, ideal for small or medium-sized cavities.
Ceramic Inlay / Onlay: A true custom-made piece fabricated by the laboratory (or via 3D milling), indicated for larger cavities to durably strengthen the tooth.
Restoration steps
- Preparation: Meticulous cleaning and conditioning of the tooth surface.
- Bonding: Use of highly efficient specific glues (adhesive systems).
- Polishing: Precise finishing for a natural shine and perfect contact with adjacent teeth.
Durable and invisible restoration thanks to modern adhesive techniques.
Precision & Versatility
Today's composite and ceramic materials allow for extremely reliable reconstructions, seamlessly integrating with your smile.
Ceramics (Inlays/Onlays)
Ceramics offer exceptional biocompatibility and mechanical resistance close to that of enamel. It does not age, does not discolor over time, and reinforces the structure of a tooth weakened by an old, large filling.
Composite Resin
Made of glass and quartz particles embedded in a resin matrix, composite allows for rapid conservative and aesthetic treatments. Applied in successive thin layers, it perfectly matches the shade of your tooth.
Timeframes and Commitments
Treatment Duration
Replacement with composite is generally completed in a single session. If the tooth requires a ceramic Inlay/Onlay, the treatment is often carried out over two sessions: preparation and optical impression, then bonding of the final piece.
Tissue Preservation
Our approach aligns with minimally invasive dentistry. Thanks to bonding techniques, we only remove the old filling and diseased tissues, thus preserving the integrity of the surrounding healthy tooth as much as possible.
Follow-up and Longevity
Key steps to ensure the longevity of your new metal-free restorations.
1. Assessment & Diagnosis
Before considering the removal of your amalgams, a precise evaluation of each tooth is necessary.
- X-ray control: To ensure the absence of underlying cavities or damage to the dental nerve.
- Material choice: Together, we determine the most suitable solution (Composite vs Ceramic) based on masticatory constraints.
* A clear treatment plan will always be proposed to you beforehand.
2. Post-operative Precautions
Once the tooth is restored, a few simple tips ensure the longevity of the treatment.
- Transient sensitivity: It is normal to feel a slight sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days after the intervention.
- Strict hygiene: Effective brushing and the use of dental floss or interdental brushes are essential to protect the bonded margins.
Ready to regain a natural smile?
The safe removal of your old amalgams is a lasting investment for your dental health and the aesthetics of your smile.
By choosing modern materials and a strict protocol:
- You protect your teeth: Reinforcement of weakened dental walls.
- You secure your body: Total removal under a rubber dam and specific suction.
- You gain comfort: Smooth, aesthetic, and biomimetic restorations.