Tooth Fillings
Mercury-Free Dental Fillings
At the office of Dr. Rebecca Irene Peña in Lakewood, CA, we are a mercury-free dental practice focused on providing safe, strong, and natural-looking tooth restorations. While many people still have older silver (amalgam) fillings, these are no longer the standard in modern restorative dentistry.
Amalgam fillings, which contain a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury, have been used by dentists for more than 150 years. Though cost-effective and durable, their mercury content and long-term effects on tooth structure have raised concerns for many patients.
Why Replace Silver Fillings?
Silver fillings (amalgam) can weaken over time and may cause:
- Cracks or fractures in the tooth due to expansion and contraction of the metal
- Leakage or corrosion that leads to staining or further decay
- Margins that wear down, allowing cavities to re-form
- Concerns about mercury exposure, which some patients wish to avoid altogether
While studies from the ADA and FDA affirm the safety of amalgam fillings for patients over the age of 6, many patients choose tooth-colored restorations for improved aesthetics and peace of mind.
Imagine Smiling With the Radiance of a Beautiful Smile!
Call us now to find a smile you'll be happy to show off!
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations
We offer composite fillings and porcelain onlays that provide both health and cosmetic benefits. These materials are metal-free, biocompatible, and bond directly to the natural tooth, improving its strength.
Benefits include:
- A natural look that blends seamlessly with your smile
- Mercury-free and safe for long-term use
- Helps strengthen and protect weakened teeth
- Fluoride-releasing properties that help prevent further decay
- Does not require placement at the gumline, promoting better gum health
- Ideal for small- to mid-sized cavities
Replacing Silver Fillings with Tooth-Colored Onlays
At Dr. Peña’s Lakewood dental office, we safely remove old silver fillings and replace them with custom-crafted tooth-colored restorations in just two visits.
Your First Appointment:
- Removal of the old silver filling and any additional decay
- Digital impressions taken of your tooth
- Placement of a temporary onlay to protect your tooth
At the Lab:
- A resin or porcelain onlay is crafted to match your tooth’s natural color and shape
Your Second Appointment:
- Temporary onlay is removed
- A conditioning gel is applied to prepare the tooth
- The final onlay is bonded using high-intensity light
- Final polishing for a smooth, natural finish
The result is a beautiful, functional smile that feels natural and lasts for years.
Composite vs. Amalgam: What You Should Know
While composite fillings have become the preferred choice for front teeth and visible areas of the mouth, they are also now durable enough to be used on back teeth in most cases. Thanks to advancements in dental materials, composite restorations are stronger and longer-lasting than ever before.
For teeth that endure heavy chewing pressure, amalgam fillings may still be used in some practices due to their durability. However, at our Lakewood dental office, we are committed to mercury-free, tooth-colored restorations for both health and cosmetic reasons.
Concerned About Mercury or Old Fillings?
If you have questions about your current fillings or would like to explore your options for silver filling replacement in Lakewood, CA, Dr. Rebecca Irene A. Peña, and our caring team is here to help. We believe every patient deserves a healthy, confident smile — without compromise.
Rebecca Irene A. Peña, DMD
Patient Review by Tamara’e T
Okay I'm not exactly sure where to begin ..I'm going to try to keep it as short as possible and straight to the point. I have very very bad anxiety and I stress myself to the point I can't stop crying and just have a very bad time being relaxed. I think my fear was caused from unpleasant dental visits as a child and throughout adulthood. I've been having a really bad tooth ache for a while. The pain would come and go but it finally got to the point that it was unbearable. I actually felt like the pain was in my left ear. A bit discouraged with finding a dentist during this covid-19 stuff going on I hopped on yelp and proceeded to look for dentist that had experience with treating clients with anxiety. Dr. Pena had very good reviews which prompt me to call. I reached out to Dr.Pena and she was really nice over the phone, she ordered me a prescription to help with pain and set me up for a next day appointment to be seen. Today was my first time visiting Dr.Pena and I can honestly say this was the best experience I've ever had in my life with visiting the dentist. She explained everything to me step by step. She and her assistant ( I don't remember her name we're so nice and attentive and caring) she numbed me very very good. The best numbing I've ever had. I've had experiences of not being numbed enough and feeling terrible pain during procedures. She knows exactly what she's doing and completed my root canal quickly. I felt pretty embarrassed at how bad I was crying during the procedure. I always humiliate myself,lmao and SMH. It's hard to explain but in that moment I actually feel like I'm dying... Thank goodness there weren't any children in the office. This experience has really changed how I feel about visiting the dentist. Even though I cried my heart out, I feel really proud of myself. Well anyways , I have to go back in a month or so to get the root canal completed. I already feel much better and I know what to expect now. I am so grateful to this wonderful professional and nice Dentist. I look forward to taking better care of my teeth and visiting the office in the future. I highly recommend Dr.Pena. P.S the office is clean, there is ample parking as well!
- Tamara’e T
Patient Review by Peggy B
Dr. Pena & staff are always very nice & accommodating. She always checks in later in the day to make sure you are doing okay after a procedure.
- Peggy B
Patient Review by ASHLEY L
STAFF IS VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. IT WAS EASY TO SCHEDULE AND RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS. DENTIST (MRS.PENA) IS VERY GENTLE AND KNOWLEDGABLE.
- ASHLEY L
Patient Review by R G
Dr. Pena and her staff are friendly and professional. Dr. Pena communicates every step of the procedure before she does anything. Everyone is very easy to work with and flexible.
- R G
Patient Review by Justin W
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- Justin W
Patient Review by DEEANNE R
LOVE THE FOLLOW UP CALL TO FINED OUT HOW I AM DOING
- DEEANNE R
Patient Review by frieda f
Dr. Pena really cares for her clients, I hate going to dentist but Dr. Pena is so gentle and soft spoken she takes away all my fears. I love my dentist. Dr. Pena makes it real easy to schedule and I can come in as early as 7am and she doesn't hurt me AT ALL. Thank you Dr. Pena and staff for your caring and loving attitude towards me and my family.
- frieda f
Patient Review by sandra g
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- sandra g
Patient Review by Marivel R
I have been a patient of Dr. Pena for 10+ years and bring all my family to Dr. Pena. Dr. Pena and her staff are great they are always very friendly and don't have to wait long when I come in.
- Marivel R
Patient Review by Michael Z
It was fast and easy. The staff is super nice and caring.
- Michael Z
Patient Review by Jan D
Everything was very comfortable and nice !
- Jan D
Patient Review by Laura E
Love Dr. Pena and her team. Very nice and efficient. Makes going to the dentist a pleasant experience.
- Laura E
Patient Review by Alicia F
Dr. Peña and her staff are phenomenal! From Dr. Peña, I had gone to a prior dentist and was told I needed 2 crowns when all I needed was 2 fillings, she saved my teeth and $ Her staff is awesome as well, from jasmin always being polite and courteous on the phone and in person, to Gail always smiling and caring about you and your family, to Vanessa assisting the Dr and being professional and asking if you are ok while doing the procedure! I am truly blessed for having Dr. Peña and her ENTIRE staff as my dentist! Thank you for being you!
- Alicia F
Patient Review by david m
Great dental office
- david m
Patient Review by M C
Dr. Peña has always been great at what she does and such pleasant and accommodating staff. Love this place!
- M C
Patient Review by Nick M
I went into Dr. Pena with tooth pain following a botched filling my long term dentist had installed barely a month earlier. She quickly went through a diagnostic routine and figured out what the problem was. She recommended we wait until I was back from a trip I had scheduled. When I was back she took my fillings out, dressed them with desensitizing gel to help with the pain, put in a temporary sedative filling to help calm down the tooth. The procedure worked very well. My tooth pain and sensitivity was gone within less than a day. After waiting a week, she installed permanent fillings to finish the procedure. She even assisted me with contacting my insurance to have them help pay for the procedure despite the other dentist already billing my insurance. I'm glad I sought her out for a second opinion. Her office is small and quaint. You definitely get a personal touch that you don't get with typical, assembly line dentist offices that have a dozen or more people waiting to see the dentist for 5 minutes.
- Nick M
Patient Review by Jon A
Exceptional work and service. Very clean office and professional staff.
- Jon A
Patient Review by Lovie H
Dr. Pena and her staff have been nothing short of amazing since coming to her office 8 years ago. I have never stopped recommending her and her office to my family, friends and co-workers. As a person who was frightened of the dentist she has made every visit wonderful. She and her staff are awesome. I thank God for her gift. If you are looking for an amazing, caring, gentle dentist look no further....Dr. Pena is the best.
- Lovie H
Patient Review by Glenn L
Dr. Pena and her staff are the most caring, thorough and talented medical team in the dental field. I have been a patient for a decade or more and every procedure has been done at the highest quality level. Dr. Pena and her team take all the time necessary from consulting to the dental process itself.
- Glenn L