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What is the difference between silver and tooth colored fillings? Which do you recommend?

dental tool completing white fillingWhile tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it is still not immune to damage. Consuming sugar fuels the bacteria that live in your mouth. The bacteria then produce acid as a byproduct. It is the acid that erodes your enamel and causes tooth decay. Your Boise dentist removes the damaged area from your tooth, leaving you with a hole, called a cavity, to fill.

Removing the plaque buildup on your teeth that harbors bacteria can protect your teeth from cavities. However, if you do need a dental filling, we offer a couple of options.

Metal fillings are composed of several different metals, including silver, which creates a solid alloy upon mixing. These are excellent restorations that have stood the test of time, and we typically recommend them for molars that take the brunt of your chewing force. 

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Many people today prefer tooth-colored restorations for aesthetic reasons. Tooth-colored composite resin can be custom shaded to match your tooth so no one will notice your dental filling.

Contact Our Boise Dental Office

At Ackerman Family Dentistry, we offer both varieties of filling materials as well as BPA-free composites. If it's time to choose a dental filling, Dr. Daniel or Dr. Robert will discuss your options with you so you can select the option that best fits your budget and your goals for your smile.

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To our valued patients, we wanted to communicate to you the efforts we have been making to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Our highest priority is the health and well being of our patients, employees, and our community, and it is with these priorities in mind that we have created several new protocols. In addition to our standard disinfection and sterilization, we will be doing the following:
  • We are screening patients over the phone for symptoms or exposure, taking patients' temperatures, and having patients use hand sanitizer upon entering the office.
  • We will be scheduling extra time for each appointment for thorough office sanitation and to promote proper social distancing.
  • We ask that patients use a pre-procedural rinse which will eliminate a majority of bacteria and viruses prior to treatment.
  • All public areas will be disinfected routinely throughout the day, and all surfaces are treated daily with a 24hr treatment that eliminates bacteria and enveloped viruses (such as COVID-19)
  • The air in treatment and hygiene rooms is being filtered with HEPA air filtration units throughout the day.
  • We are limiting the use of the waiting room to ensure proper social distancing and patients are welcome to wait in their car if they are more comfortable doing so.
  • All treatment providers will be wearing masks when interacting with patients.

We will continue to monitor the situation and adapt as needed, and we hope to keep everyone healthy and safe through this trying period, and moving forward.