Surveyed dentists across America honor Alameda Dentist, Dr. Jim Hinkle, in the publication "Best Dentists in America".

Publishers, Woodward/White, Inc.:

"The Best Dentists in America, representing eight specialties in all 50 states and Washington, DC, was compiled using the same kind of exhaustive peer-review survey ((as used in the publication "Best Lawyers in America") in which thousands of the top dentists in the U.S. confidentially evaluated their professional peers. The inaugural edition of Best Dentists (2004-2005), was based on more than 150,000 detailed evaluations of dentists by other dentists.

Because dentists are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, Best Dentists is certain to gain the respect of the dental profession, the media, and patients as the most reliable, unbiased source of dental referrals anywhere, much the way Best Lawyers and Best Doctors have done for the past twenty years."

A Choice of Fillings
James R. Hinkle II DDS MAGD

Today patients have some leeway in their choice of fillings. A dental filling is a material that is soft when placed and hardens in place to repair small to medium areas of a tooth. This means it can be done in a single visit. There are two materials that fit this definition: amalgam and composite. Amalgam is a metal alloy containing mercury, in the case of dental amalgam it is about a fifty-fifty mixture of mercury and a metal alloy largely composed of silver. Composite is a hybrid material composed of acrylic with a reinforcing material such as quartz or boron. There are several differences in these materials besides the color. Amalgam has been around for over a hundred years and is a forgiving material to work with. It can be placed in a contaminated field (where there is saliva or blood). This makes it a better choice for small children or other situations when the field can’t be kept dry, or when decay extends below the gumline. Since it takes some time to harden, it can be shaped once placed. This is important in forming surfaces in between teeth. Composite needs a clean, dry field in order to be placed or leakage and new decay can appear in fairly short timeframe. Composites have a much higher rate of post-operative sensitivity than amalgam. However, in the proper circumstances, composite has the advantage of bonding to tooth surface without the need to cut a dovetail preparation into the tooth. Composite fillings are a little more expensive to place because of the time and greater difficulty in placing, yet most insurance companies will only make allowance for the cheaper alternative. This means a larger out of pocket expense falls to the patient. What does all this mean? Each material has it’s own pluses and minuses. Next time you need a filling, talk with your dentist to determine which material best meets your needs.