When mercury is combined with the other metals in dental amalgam, its chemical nature changes, forming a hard dense metal mixture. There is much less metalic mercury in dental amalgam than what patients are exposed to in food, air, and water. Ongoing scientific studies conducted over the past 100 years continue to show that dental amalgam is safe to use as a restorative material in dentistry. Dental amalgam has withstood the test of time, which is why it is the material of choice. Amalgam is a very durable material and has been used safely for more than 150 years.
Dentists appreciate using dental amalgam because it is easier to work with than other alternatives.
Dentists also believe that patients prefer dental amalgam to other alternatives because of its safety, cost-effectiveness, and ability to be placed in the tooth cavity quickly and easily. Gold and porcelain are used as alternatives to amalgam fillings but have a higher cost and take longer to place. Dr. Howell normally recommends the material that will give the best results, comparing costs to longivity and function. Smaller silver fillings generally work the best. When a tooth has a very large defective silver filling or a major portion of the tooth breaks away, a porcelain to gold or a full gold crown generally works the best.