Metal-Free Fillings
Helping Your Smile Last Longer
Metal-free fillings are placed to preserve and protect a tooth damaged by cavities or may be recommended as a replacement for traditional metal amalgam fillings. Metal-free fillings are conservative restorations that sustain more of the natural tooth structure and build strength in a way that will go unnoticed by you and those around you.
In the past, the only way to fill a cavity was with the use of a metal amalgam restoration material. Not only does this type of filling look ugly, it can be damaging to the tooth. Much like mercury in a thermometer, metal amalgam is known to expand and contract with temperature changes such as hot or cold foods. This shift in size can weaken the tooth structure and can lead to fractures or even breaks in the tooth. It may also lead to the possibility for decay-causing bacteria to become trapped beneath the filling, which can worsen the decay and make the cavity larger.
Metal-free fillings look better and bond better to the tooth, making them a much more ideal restoration than metal amalgam fillings.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
These filings are composed of composite resin materials. A metal-free filling can be color-matched by Dr. Walker so that it blends with your natural tooth color. The strong bonding properties of a metal-free filling make it a sturdy restoration that will last many years. Because of the way the composite material is bonded to the tooth, there is minimal need to remove much of the natural tooth structure compared to a metal amalgam filling, which is why it’s considered a more conservative restoration.
Dr. Walker has been our dentist for many years. Whenever we come into the office we feel like they really care about you as a patient. He and his staff always go above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. They have always been great with our son too. We would highly recommend Dr. Walker and his staff to anyone.
Colette B. (Actual Patient)
Inlays & Onlays
What sets Robert F. Walker Jr. DDS apart from many dentists in Chandler is his desire to always take the most conservative approach to restoring smiles. Inlays and onlays are tooth restorations that help regain your oral health while being more conservative than a porcelain crown. With minimal prep-work to your existing tooth structure, the result is a strong, long-lasting restoration that looks completely natural.
Inlays and onlays provide a precise fit and strong bond to the natural tooth for optimal preservation and protection of a damaged tooth. An inlay is used much like a standard filling, to fill in spaces within the cusps of the teeth caused by cavities and decay. An onlay is used in cases of more extensive damage and may cover much or the entire tooth surface, including one or more cusps.
Dr. Walker works side-by-side with a talented dental lab to create inlays and onlays that fit the unique cusps of your teeth for maximum protection and a natural-looking appearance.