Our Focus is on You,

            Our Patient

Patrick G. Weakland, D.D.S.

(970) 686-5544

Patrick G. Weakland, D.D.S.
214 5th Street
Windsor, CO  80550
Phone: 970-686-5544
Fax: 970-686-6872

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Regular Office Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday  

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(The office is open random Mondays and Fridays as well)

Voted Best Dentist 

in the 

Windsor Beacon's Best of Windsor Poll 

for 6 years

 at

The Windsor Gardener

Restorative Dentistry:  Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam Fillings | Tooth Colored Fillings | Root Canals | Crowns and Bridges | Full and Partial Dentures | Implants 

Today, dental amalgam is used in the following situations:

• in individuals of all ages

• in stress-bearing areas and in small-to moderate-sized cavities in the posterior teeth

• when there is severe destruction of tooth structure and cost is an overriding consideration

• when patient commitment to personal oral hygiene is poor

• when moisture control is problematic with patients

Dental amalgam has been used as a dental restorative material for over 150 years. Amalgam remains popular because it is strong, durable and relatively inexpensive.

Dental amalgam is a compound of mercury and other metals and is often called a silver filling because of its appearance. While dental amalgam continues to be a commonly used restorative material, some have raised concern because of its mercury content, but their concern is unfounded. Although mercury by itself is classified as a toxic material, the mercury in amalgam chemically combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling and restoring teeth.

Because amalgam fillings can withstand very high chewing loads, they are particularly useful for restoring molars in the back of the mouth where chewing load is greatest.

Disadvantages of amalgam include possible short-term sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after the filling is placed. The silver-colored filling is not as esthetically pleasing as one that is tooth-colored, especially when the restored tooth is near the front of the mouth, visible when the patients laughs or speaks. And lastly, to prepare the tooth, the dentist may need to remove more tooth structure to accommodate an amalgam filling than for other types of direct fillings.