Is It Dangerous to Get Amalgam Fillings?
By: Gentle Care Family Dental
Tags: Dental Fillings, Dentistry, Smile

Traditionally, dental restorations have been made from metal amalgam. This material is still in use today thanks to its high durability and strength combined with ease of use and affordability. But in modern times, the drawbacks of amalgam fillings have become appearance, with the cosmetic issues being particularly prominent. However, there is one particular factor that makes many patients and dentists wary of amalgam nowadays: the presence of mercury. This metal is everywhere in our environment (with trace amounts often being found in human blood and urine), but many people believe that the mercury in fillings can lead to toxicity. Is this truly something you need to be concerned about? Read on to learn the facts.

How Much Mercury is in an Amalgam Restoration?

Dental amalgam is a combination of many metals. Notably, it contains about 50% mercury — a large reason why so many patients are concerned about it. It is important to keep in mind, though, that your body’s actual exposure to mercury will be very low on a day-to-day basis. The amalgam stays right where it is once it is in the tooth, so the main risk of exposure is when a filling is initially placed or removed. As such, many dentists — mainly those that practice holistic dentistry — have adopted the SMART method of amalgam removal. SMART is an acronym for “Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique.” It is designed the minimize the amount of mercury vapor that you inhale during the removal process. It involves advanced technology such as high-volume air filtration to stop mercury from entering the bloodstream.

So are Amalgam Fillings Safe?

Amalgam is still widely considered to be safe in the dental community, but there are more dentists who believe that they pose a risk to the patient’s overall health. Mercury exposure is linked to a variety of healthy problems, including insomnia and headaches. While the amount of mercury present in amalgam fillings is very low, many dentists have switched to composite fillings as an alternative.

What are the Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Composite fillings are made from composite resin, which is highly biocompatible and contains no mercury. For patients who have concerns about mercury exposure, composite resin is a much safer option. There are other advantages to consider as well, such as the following:

· Composite fillings are also sometimes called tooth-colored fillings thanks to the fact that they can be shaded to match the color of your enamel, thus resulting in a much more natural appearance.

· Amalgam fillings are held in place thanks to significant amounts of enamel being removed from the teeth, but composite resin can bond with the dental structure itself, making it a much more conservative option.

· Unlike metal amalgam, composite resin is not affected by temperature and thus will not expand and contract.

In general, composite fillings are safer, less invasive, and more aesthetically appealing than amalgam fillings. Reach out to a dental practice near you today if you’d like to explore the possibility of using a composite filling to repair your tooth or replace an amalgam restoration.