How to Find an Accessible Dental Office: A Guide for Patients with Disabilities
Everyone deserves to feel completely comfortable getting quality dental care. Here are a few things to look for in an accessible dental office!
Mercury Filling Removal
We’re proud to provide durable, beautiful mercury-free dental fillings in Santa Rosa! Our practice specializes in safely removing amalgam fillings and has strict processes in place to minimize exposure when removing older fillings.
We Remove Mercury Fillings Santa Rosa
Silver Amalgam Fillings Contain Mercury.
If you have an amalgam filling, it contains silver, tin, copper and mercury. Because mercury can be toxic to the body, it’s important to remove silver fillings carefully.
We're Trained in Mercury Removal Safety.
Our team has special training in mercury filling removal. We use high volume evacuators to remove vapor from the air and protective materials to safely remove and dispose of dental amalgam.
Replace Your Fillings with Safer Alternatives.
We proudly offer mercury-free fillings in Santa Rosa using safe, durable alternatives for tooth-colored fillings that keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Protect Your Smile From Tooth Decay
Cavities can happen to anyone, even if you have perfect brushing and flossing habits. While most cavities come from acid-producing bacteria, acids from other sources can also weaken your enamel over time. Our team can stop tooth decay in its tracks and rebuild full strength and beauty to your smile with mercury-free dental fillings in Santa Rosa!
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are restorations that are built directly in the tooth to rebuild damaged enamel. Where other restorations like crowns, inlays, and onlays are crafted outside the mouth and then cemented in place, a filling uses soft materials that harden in place.
Today, most fillings use BPA-free composite resin, which is a strong, tooth-safe material that bonds seamlessly with enamel to rebuild the damaged area of the tooth while preserving its natural appearance and function.
We can also use this material for cosmetic dental bonding, which is a minimally invasive way to make subtle improvements in the appearance of your smile. Dental bonding is not as durable or long-lasting as options like porcelain veneers, but it’s a great option for subtle improvements or if you’re not ready for a permanent smile makeover yet.
Should You Replace Your Amalgam Fillings?
Dental amalgam is a mixture of several metals, including mercury. Most people prefer modern alternatives because they blend in seamlessly with your enamel for a natural look. Our team proudly provides mercury-free fillings in Santa Rosa to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
In the past, amalgam was the most common option for dental fillings. While amalgam fillings (also called silver fillings) have mostly been phased out in modern dentistry, many people wonder whether they should have their old amalgam fillings removed because they worry about how the mercury in them may affect their health.
Our team is happy to evaluate your oral health and help you decide whether mercury filling removal in Santa Rosa is worth considering.
When It May Be Time to For a New Filling
No dental material lasts forever, and over time amalgam fillings can start to leak or break down. If this happens, your tooth is at risk for decay under the filling, in which case we’ll need to discuss replacing it.
Because dental amalgam expands and contracts more than enamel, silver fillings are more likely to cause cracks in a tooth as they age. Amalgam can also stain the enamel, making it look dark or gray. If the tooth does not have enough healthy structure to support a composite filling, removing your amalgam fillings may involve replacing them with full dental crowns.
You may need a dental filling (or need to replace an old one) if you notice:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks
- White, brown, or dark spots on a tooth or at the edges of an existing filling
- Discomfort or pain when chewing
- Food consistently getting stuck in the same area
- Floss that repeatedly catches or frays between certain teeth
- Cracks, chips, or wear around an existing filling
- Ongoing tooth pain, whether dull, sharp, or throbbing
Regular dental visits make it easier to identify cavities and problems with old dental work as early as possible, keeping your treatment simpler, more comfortable, and more cost-effective in the long run.
Why Trust Our Team to Remove Mercury Fillings in Santa Rosa?
Stable, intact amalgam fillings won’t necessarily increase your health risks, and it may be a better idea to leave them in place in some cases. However, when amalgam fillings need to be removed and replaced, the process releases mercury vapor, which can be toxic if inhaled. That’s why it is essential to see a dentist with the training, equipment, and experience to remove mercury fillings safely.
Our team has been safely removing mercury fillings in Santa Rosa for many years. We adhere to strict safety protocols when removing amalgam fillings. This includes covering you with a drape to avoid skin exposure, an oxygen mask over your nose to keep vapor out of the airway, dental barriers that prevent you from swallowing debris during the procedure, and high-volume evacuators (a type of strong suction) remove mercury vapor from the air to prevent you from breathing it in.
We're a Mercury-Free Dental Practice
We are proud to be a mercury-free dental office and offer modern materials that are durable and biocompatible. Our composite resin dental fillings in Santa Rosa are carefully matched to the natural color of your teeth so your smile can stay healthy and beautiful. We also offer a full range of porcelain restorations such as dental crowns for added support and longevity.
If you think you need a filling or you’re wondering whether you should have your old amalgam fillings replaced, get in touch with our team! We’ll discuss the best options for your situation and help you choose the right solution for your smile.
Book an appointment today:
Meet the Santa Rosa Dentists Dedicated to Giving Your Smile the Personalized Care It Deserves
About Dr. Austin Griffith:
Dr. Austin Griffith, DDS, is a highly skilled Santa Rosa dentist with over 13 years
practicing general dentistry. He has expertise in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral surgery, TMD/TMJ treatment, and emergency care. He has also experience with Invisalign® clear aligners, implant restoration, and sleep dentistry. With a patient-centered approach, he prioritizes building trust, using humor to ease anxieties, and educating patients about their options.
About Dr. Andrew McCormick:
Dr. McCormick is no longer accepting new patients.
For 40 years, Dr. McCormick has proudly served Sonoma County residents as a skilled and dedicated dentist. In that time, he has built a team of clinicians who share the same passion and commitment to excellence to ensure his patients have the best possible care at every visit.
As he enters retirement, Dr. McCormick extends his heartfelt gratitude to his patients for their trust throughout his career.
Voted Best Dentist in Santa Rosa by Readers of Bohemian Magazine
1 of 350 Dentists Worldwide Accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
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