Great dentist and coworkers!
Composite resin restorations represent a leap forward from historical metal filling frameworks. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, which are packed mechanically into a hollow space and require extensive tooth destruction, composite materials bond chemically directly to your natural enamel and dentin architecture. This molecular adhesion reinforces and supports the remaining enamel structures from within, significantly decreasing the risk of future structural fractures.
Many patients with old silver amalgam fillings ask about having them replaced with tooth-colored composite. Here’s an honest answer about when it makes sense — and when it doesn’t.
“We evaluate each amalgam filling on its own merits. If replacement is appropriate — due to age, failure, decay, or your preference — we remove it safely and replace it with a matched composite restoration. We never recommend replacement purely for commercial reasons.”
Clinical Workflow
Local anesthesia applied. Decay or old filling material removed. Conservative — only what needs to come out comes out.
Composite resin shade selected to match natural tooth color precisely. The match is so accurate the filling is virtually invisible.
Composite placed in layers and hardened with a curing light. Each layer shaped and polished to restore natural tooth contour and bite.
Entire process completed in a single appointment. You leave with a finished, polished, fully functional restoration the same day.
We prioritize your long-term health values by relying exclusively on modern composite tooth restoration systems across all operations.
We take time to match composite shading to your natural tooth — including characterization, translucency, and surface texture. The result should be undetectable.
Composite bonding requires less healthy tooth structure removed than amalgam. We take the most conservative approach that serves you long-term.
Great dentist and coworkers!
Always on time. Always very friendly.
Even being late everyone was pleasant
The new dentist was very friendly and good and the hygienist was great.
The assistants and the doctor are very nice and explains things very well.
Met Hygienist Angela today for the first time. She was extremely thoughtful, thorough and educational….
The cleaning was done in a relatively painless way. The exam was thorough and I…
Every time I’m here the entire staff is friendly, helpful, kind and on top of…
Amazing Dental Care. From the Receptionist, throughout the whole process, Everyone makes you feel special….
Routine 6 mo cleaning and exam today. Punctuality is appreciated. Comfortable, painless procedures done in…
For the first time in my life I am not afraid to go to the…
Jan, their dental hygienist did a fabulous job cleaning my teeth. Very knowledgeable and thorough.
Glad to be here: good listeners, good attention to detail, and hospitable. All make you…
I was very pleased with the staff and Dr. Matte. Thank you.
I had work done in both Waupaca and Wausau locations over the past year. Doctors…
All employees are very nice and listen to ymy issues and explain what needs to…
I've been with crystal river for about a year now and they have been nothing…
Very thorough exam and nice people!
Very pleased! As an itinerant substitute dentist she did a fantastic and thorough job.
Very good. On time and thorough.
First visit to Crystal River Dental. The staff was very accommodating and helpful.
Very friendly and professional staff.They are honest and do a great job.
Dr. Nguyen and all the staff have been friendly, helpful, very skilled, and very good…
I couldn’t be happier with Crystal River Dental. Everyone from the front desk to the…
Very sad to see Doctor Lap Nguyen had left sure enjoyed going to have him…
The receptionists, the hygienist, Nicole and Dr. Nguyen were all very communicative, professional, efficient and…
Great experience at Crystal River Dental. My Hygienist, Angela did an outstanding job and I…
Very friendly and efficient, best dentist I've ever had. Due to exposed roots teeth are…
She was awesome. She was concerned and listened to me
I had my bottom teeth removed. I had no bruising, swelling or any pain, just…
Tina was excellent in what she was doing with my teeth. Was able to get…
My Hygienist, Angela, was very friendly and thorough. She has nice conversation and lets me…
Great attention to detail.
I've been really impressed with the service and the quality of work. This visit provides…
Dr. B was thorough and I am glad that my son had his chipped tooth…
I had a wonderful experience. The dental hygienist was very nice and was also encouraging…
This dentist made me feel BEYOND comfortable! I have never had a dentist so forward,…
I like Dr. Nyugen my dentist here at Dental Crystal River – Waupaca very professional…
I found a diamond of a dentist office in Waupaca, WI . From the reception…
They are very friendly an efficient
Amazing from when you first walk in the door until you leave. Everyone treats you…
Today, I had a cleaning of my teeth at Crystal Dental. The service I received…
Thank you for getting me in today you made my day.
Friendly, professional, took the time to answer my questions.
The staff at Crystal River Dental is very professional, friendly & efficient. I am so…
I always feel very cared about. 😊 I am cared about as a person compassionately…
Outstanding care. Professional and compassionate.
I chatted with hygienist and dentist. Both were nice and knowledgeable. I had a filling…
Love this place & the Dentist! They are efficient, friendly and realistic! They work with…
A very good dentist and very nice and friendly
I highly recommend Crystal River Dental. Everyone there is professional and kind. I have been…
Crystal River Dental does a fantastic job. Hygienist Angela is very thorough and takes the…
The appointment was right on time. My cleaning was great without discomfort. Dr. did a…
Very through and honest dentist. Sugested but did not try 2 push expensive improvements.
Dr. Nguyen and staff are great. I'm very happy with the excellent care and the…
As a first time patient, I was very happy with the hygienist and the dentist.
Hygienist, Angela, very thorough, does an excellent job explaining teeth and toothbrush issues. Reminding me…
Great experience! Made me feel very comfortable and wanted to make sure I was okay…
Great experience! Very thorough, friendly & gentle. They provide detailed explanations of procedures and upfront…
Great and helpful always listens to my concerns
The young lady that cleaned my teeth was very thorough and had a very pleasant…
I had my first visit. I had to miss my first appointment….The staff was very…
Very happy with the crown Color was perfect and so was the fit.Thank you!
After starting in 2022, at CRD, I was happy the practice finally settled down with…
Love the dentist! They are very caring and efficient.
It was a great experience, they were very unstanding and very kind.
Great customer service and friendly staff! Outstanding dentist!
Dr. Lap Nguyen was the dentist I saw today, and I was very impressed. I…
Staff is always upbeat and friendly.
Crystal River Dental is a very professional and caring establishment. The atmosphere is relaxing. I…
Had a crown done today, always professional and painless work done by the dentist here…
I thought she is very kind and gentle! Gave me good advice for future care!
I feel very comfortable there
CRD stands behind its work and products Rarely do you see a company that has…
Very kind and efficient. Friendly staff.
Dentist, associates, & all office staff are absolutely awesome. They don’t treat their patients as…
Good experience! Dr.Saad, assistant Lisa, and hygienist Angela have all been very professional and helpful….
Very professional and thorough.
They have always done a great job with my regular teeth cleaning. got same day…
Friendly Staff and the dentist is the best dentist I’ve ever been to 😊
I appreciate their honest work and explanation of what is going on when I get…
Doc was great. Got one tooth pulled didn't feel a thing. Doc was very informative…
Everything they did was pain free. Thank you
Crystal River Dental is a top notch practice from top to bottom. Highly competent and…
I had dental phobia, but everyone here is so kind, patient and understanding. Dentist does…
Service was on time and very friendly.
Always a pleasant experience Thank you
I'm very pleased with the service and the professionalism at Crystal River dental. I felt…
Very friendly and great service
A perfect place with super-professional people who provide excellent service. I was extremely satisfied with…
You really care about your clients!!! More than the one I had after40 plus years…
I had an exam with Dr Nguyen, that was very thorough. I appreciate his comprehensive…
Everyone is very polite and helpful. I had to make a last minute appointment because…
Very professional and friendly.
All of the staff are so very friendly. They always get to me on time….
Everyone there is friendly. The office is spotless and the hygenists are very thorough. Office…
The dentist is very cordial and respectful. I appreciate the care she gives.
First experience went awesome & I look forward to my future visits! I broke my…
Excellent care in a friendly and professional manner.
Very competent and friendly people. Angela did a great job cleaning my teeth.
Very nice, I was totally comfortable. Thanks.
Great care, friendly staff. Hard to find a dentist this good and caring but this…
Every was nice and helpful.
Dr Nguyen is a very knowledgeable and caring person..he explains options and the why of…
Hygienist was great,and Dr.'s explanation of teeth matters explained throughly.
They were very nice and took care of me right from the start
Professional and sensitive to patients needs.
5–10 years on average, with many lasting longer. Depends on filling size, bite forces, and oral hygiene. We check filling integrity at every recall visit.
For moderate-sized fillings, yes — modern composites are very strong. For very large restorations with high bite forces, an inlay, onlay, or crown may be more appropriate than composite.
If your amalgam fillings are intact and functioning well, there is no urgent clinical reason to replace them. If they are old, cracking, leaking, or you prefer tooth-colored restorations, replacement with composite is a reasonable choice. We evaluate each one individually.
The tooth is numbed with local anesthesia before any preparation begins — you should feel pressure but no pain. Some sensitivity for 1–3 days afterward is normal and resolves on its own.
Most plans cover composite fillings for front teeth at 100% and back teeth at the amalgam rate. Many plans now cover composite for all teeth. We verify your benefits before your appointment.