Q: I was told I need a crown. Why can't I just get a filling?

A: When a large part of a tooth is missing due to decay or fracture, it is often necessary to place a restoration that will fully cover the missing part. A crown acts to cover and protect the tooth, and will be able to withstand the extremely high forces put on teeth while chewing. If a large filling is placed, it will most likely break after a very short time.

Q: A friend of mine had all of her silver fillings replaced, should I?

A: The decision to have silver fillings removed is often based on age and appearance, unless decay is present. It has been shown that having silver (mercury) fillings in your mouth increases the levels of mercury in your blood, the American Dental Association studies say this amount is not high enough to have negative effects. We choose not to place silver fillings in our office due to the superior aesthetics of composite (tooth-colored) fillings. These materials bond to teeth and allow for less tooth removal and shorter appointments.