Some of you may have heard us mention the words tunnel preps or have even had this type of preparation and filling in your tooth. We are offering a new type of procedure to repair small cavities that form in between the teeth. This new type of preparation to remove the decay allows us to save much more healthy tooth structure that before was traditionally cut away to provide adequate retention for a silver-mercury restoration. We select teeth that have never had fillings or have had very small amalgam restorations. A tunnel is made from the side or top of the tooth and the decay is carefully removed with high and slow speed handpieces. The hole is first filled just short of the top with a glass ionomer and then a conventional composite (tooth colored) restoration is bonded on tip of the glass ionomer material to complete the fill. It is difficult for us to even tell that a filling has been placed in a tooth with a tunnel prep. It is also important to note that both the glass ionomer and composite materials bond to the tooth structure and the tooth is restored to close to it's original strength. Conventional silver-mercury restorations do not bond to tooth structure and therefore result in a greater loss of tooth strength which may result in a fracture. Finally, the glass ionomer material continually releases fluoride in very small amounts which prevents decay from recurring anywhere near where the material is placed.
Tunnel preps are high-tech state of the art dental restorations which are esthetically and clinically superior to traditional silver mercury fillings. This is a time-consuming procedure and it costs more than a conventional filling. From a conservative standpoint of saving healthy tooth enamel and the esthetic considerations we are proud to offer this fine service.
Dr James A Miller, Aesthetic Dentist - Providing cosmetic, bioaesthetic and IV sedation dentistry to the areas of Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon.
Hillsboro smile artistry
© copyright 2001 - 2008, Dr. James A Miller, all rights reserved