Dr. Zachary Law, DDS
1337 Hardy Road | Vinton, VA 24179
Creating Healthy Smiles
& Happy Families

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Fillings

How can we help you?

At the Vinton, VA dental office of Dr. Zachary Law, we strive to keep our patients educated and informed about the importance of proper oral health habits. We've found that patients who are well-informed and feel confident in their knowledge about their oral health have better outcomes, and we know that you want the best results possible from your dental care.

Your questions are important to us, and no question is ever too small. We are happy to answer your questions about our practice, the services we provide, your home-care routine, or dentistry in general. 

We will take the time to explain the benefits of our services to help you make appropriate decisions about your oral health care. For your convenience, we've listed a few of the questions we hear most often from our patients, but please don't hesitate to contact our office at (540) 342-4945 if your question isn't listed here or you would like more information. A helpful member of our team will be happy to help you get the answers you need.

We are here to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Fillings

More and more people are concerned about the use of amalgam (silver) fillings. There has been some debate recently about the safety of amalgam because it contains several metals, one of which is mercury. At our Vinton dental office, we understand your concerns, and we want to put your mind to rest about these claims.

The truth is that amalgam fillings have been used for over 100 years because they are very strong and long-lasting. Several major health organizations have determined that there is no danger associated with the mercury in amalgam fillings.

Silver fillings have been around for so long because they are very durable. This makes them a good choice for use in molars that have to withstand a lot of force as we chew and bite down. Because of their strength, amalgam fillings are also appropriate for filling teeth with large cavities.

At our Vinton dental office, Dr. Law uses only the safest, most effective materials available to protect your oral health. If you feel strongly about the use of amalgam fillings, we will explain why we believe they’re appropriate. But ultimately, it is your decision, and we can use composite material instead.

Please contact our office if you have questions about amalgam fillings.

Yes, we are pleased to offer tooth-colored fillings at our Vinton dental office. Also known as composite fillings, they are a versatile restorative treatment that can be used for many purposes.

One of the advantages of tooth-colored fillings is that they blend in perfectly with the tooth being filled. The composite material can be colored to match your natural teeth, and it can also be shaped to blend with the contours of your tooth. Once Dr. Law is finished, you will not be able to detect where the filling and tooth meet – it simply looks like a completely natural tooth.

Since tooth-colored fillings are so close in appearance to natural teeth, they can also be used for dental bonding. We can composites to cover a stained tooth, fill cracks and chips, or reshape an irregular tooth, by forming the material as needed, then bonding the composite securely to your tooth. Just like fillings, you will not be able to see where the repair was made.

Since tooth-colored composites have so many uses, you may wonder if they are appropriate for fixing your particular problem. Please remember that you are welcome to call our Vinton dental office if you have questions and would like to schedule a convenient appointment with Dr. Law.

We all want to present a smile to the world that looks beautiful and natural. Many dentists like Dr. Law use tooth-colored fillings – also referred to as composites - when appropriate, because they not only blend so perfectly with natural teeth, but they also react more like a natural tooth.

Years ago, we didn’t have a lot of choices when it came to material for dental fillings. Fortunately, advances in dentistry provide us with options that make it possible for us to choose specific materials that are good for your oral health and also enhance your appearance.

Composite material is a good aesthetic choice for filling teeth that are visible when you smile. Restoring teeth effectively depends on a strong, durable bond between your dental enamel and the filling material, making composite fillings a perfect choice for certain types of repairs. This characteristic also makes tooth-colored composites perfect for dental bonding to fix chipped, cracked, or severely stained teeth.

If you’re interested in learning more about tooth-colored fillings and how they can benefit you, please contact our Vinton dental office. We will be happy to make an appointment to discuss this versatile treatment as well as your other options for restoring your teeth.

We are a Delta Dental Premier Provider, and we participate in all 50 states. Here is a listing of the insurance plans we work with. If you don’t see yours listed here, please contact our office for more information.

AARP Delta

ACS Benefit Services

AFLAC

Aetna

Ameritas

Anthem

Assurant

BC/BS of Alabama

BC/BS of Illinois

BC/BS of North Carolina

Blue Care Dental Guardian

Cigna

Delta Individual Plans

Eastern Life

MetLife

Northeast Delta NEI Health Benefit Plan

Premier Access

Principal

Securian

Sun Life

Wellpoint

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