Menu

Amalgam-Free Fillings & Bonding in Red Bank, NJ

Biocompatible, Mercury-Free, BPA-Free Composite Fillings

A common dental concern, tooth decay creates holes in the teeth that we call "cavities." Sealing the tooth and keeping bacteria out, a filling is the best treatment for them. Many dental practices, however, still use silver amalgam fillings, which can be harmful to your overall health. At The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine, Dr. Glenn A. MacFarlane places only amalgam-free, tooth-colored composite resin fillings, a biocompatible choice that is better for your smile and your well-being.

SMART Certified Dentist, IAOMT Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique

SMART Certified by the IAOMT (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique)

What it is

Tooth-colored composite resin fillings that repair minor damage and restore cavities, all without mercury or metal.

Who it's for

Anyone with cavities, small fractures, or worn teeth who wants a biocompatible, natural-looking restoration.

Our approach

100% amalgam-free. Our biocompatible composite resin contains no mercury and no metal, and it preserves more of your natural tooth structure.

Dealing with a cavity or a filling that needs replacing? Schedule a consultation with Dr. MacFarlane today.

Why Choose Amalgam-Free Fillings?

We believe the materials placed in your mouth matter at The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine. If you already have silver amalgam fillings, we rely on the SMART protocol for safe removal. Here is how our amalgam-free composite fillings stack up against traditional silver amalgam:

Benefits of Composite Fillings

  • Built from biocompatible materials such as composite resin, with no mercury
  • Stay stable through temperature changes, so bacteria are less likely to enter the tooth
  • Look like real tooth enamel rather than an obvious dental repair, blending naturally with your smile
  • Call for less tooth preparation, preserving more of your natural tooth structure
  • Bond directly to the tooth for added structural support

Compared to Silver Amalgam

  • Approximately 50% of amalgam is mercury, a known neurotoxin
  • With hot and cold foods, metal fillings expand and contract, which can crack teeth over time
  • Silver fillings stand out and darken with age
  • Placing amalgam requires removing more healthy tooth structure
  • Because metal fillings do not bond to the tooth, bacteria may seep underneath

What to Expect During Your Filling

A single appointment is all it takes to place amalgam-free tooth-colored fillings. To avoid any discomfort, the treatment area is first numbed with a local anesthetic. Patients may also request sedation depending on their dental anxiety level. Next, the area of decay is carefully removed, and biocompatible composite resin material fills the remaining space. A special curing light hardens the filling, which is then polished to look and feel like natural tooth enamel. You will leave the office with an aesthetic restoration that protects your smile for many years to come.

Caring for your fillings is simple, and they need no special attention beyond the rest of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental examinations to monitor their health are all that is required.

Dental Bonding

At The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine, our tooth-colored bonding can restore broken, chipped, or stained teeth. The resin material reshapes the tooth and closes the spaces left between teeth by gaps or chips in the tooth enamel. To blend in with the surrounding enamel, each bonded area is carefully matched. We can also place bonding over areas of gum recession to help prevent severe sensitivity there.

Among the most versatile and affordable cosmetic treatments available, dental bonding is typically finished in a single visit. Because it needs no impressions or a dental laboratory, it is a convenient option for patients looking for fast, effective results.

Dental Bonding in Red Bank, NJ

Curious about dental bonding or amalgam-free fillings? Call our Red Bank office to schedule your appointment.

Considering Replacing Your Silver Amalgam Fillings?

Would you like to swap your existing silver amalgam fillings for biocompatible, tooth-colored alternatives? Dr. MacFarlane and his team can help you choose the right holistic solution for your smile. Contact The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine to schedule your consultation and learn more about your options.

To protect you, our team, and the environment during every procedure, our office follows strict mercury-safe dentistry protocols. When you are ready to have your amalgam fillings removed, learn more about our safe amalgam removal process, which minimizes mercury exposure during removal using the SMART protocol recommended by the IAOMT.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Visit Steps

  1. Examination: Dr. MacFarlane evaluates your teeth, takes any X-rays needed, and pinpoints areas of decay or damage
  2. Treatment plan: You get a clear explanation of the recommended treatment, the materials, and the expected outcome
  3. Numbing: To keep you completely comfortable throughout the procedure, a local anesthetic is applied
  4. Decay removal: The affected area is carefully cleaned until all decay is gone
  5. Filling or bonding: Biocompatible composite resin is built up in layers and shaped to match your natural tooth
  6. Curing and polishing: A special light hardens the material before the restoration is polished to a natural finish

Good to Know

  • A single visit is usually enough to complete fillings and bonding procedures
  • Patients with dental anxiety can request sedation options
  • By bonding directly to the tooth, composite fillings add strength
  • Shortly after your appointment, you can eat and drink normally
  • No special aftercare is needed beyond keeping up with normal brushing and flossing
  • Regular dental exams help us monitor the health and longevity of your restorations

We put your comfort and health first. Contact The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine to schedule your filling or bonding appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Built to withstand everyday chewing forces, modern composite resin fillings are highly durable. Silver amalgam was once considered the stronger option, but advances in composite materials have made tooth-colored fillings a reliable, long-lasting restoration. Given proper oral hygiene and regular checkups, composite fillings can last many years.

Depending on factors such as the size and location of the filling, your oral hygiene habits, and your diet, composite fillings typically last 7 to 15 years or longer. Regular dental examinations at The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine let Dr. MacFarlane keep an eye on your fillings and recommend replacement if needed.

No. Before any work begins, the treatment area is thoroughly numbed with a local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. If dental anxiety is an issue for you, sedation options are available to keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout your visit.

When decay damages a tooth and leaves a cavity, a filling restores it. Dental bonding uses the same type of composite resin material but goes on the surface of a tooth to repair chips, cracks, staining, gaps, or minor cosmetic imperfections. Both procedures rely on biocompatible materials and are completed in a single appointment.

Absolutely. Replacing old silver amalgam fillings with biocompatible, tooth-colored composite restorations is something Dr. MacFarlane does regularly. To protect you and our team during the removal process, our office follows strict safe amalgam removal protocols (the SMART protocol) and practices mercury-safe dentistry.

What composite fillings cost varies with the size and location of the cavity and the complexity of the restoration. Most dental insurance plans cover composite fillings. At your visit, our team will provide a clear treatment plan and go over payment options, including financing through our office.

Roughly 50% of a silver amalgam filling is mercury, a substance recognized as a neurotoxin. We take a whole-body approach to dentistry at The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine, and we believe the materials placed in your mouth should be safe for your overall health. Composite resin fillings are mercury-free, BPA-free, biocompatible, and bond directly to the tooth, preserving more natural structure.

Most filling and bonding procedures take a single visit of approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many teeth are being treated and the extent of the work. So you can plan accordingly, Dr. MacFarlane will provide a time estimate during your consultation.

Ready to make the switch to healthier, mercury-free dental care? Schedule your appointment at The Center for Holistic Dental Medicine in Red Bank, NJ.