Most of us have had to visit the dentist at least once in our lives in order to have a tooth filled. Luckily for many, it may have been quite a few years back and the memory has long since faded. But if you haven’t needed to make a trip to the dentist recently for cavity or decay related issues, you may be wondering if you should speak to your dentist about having old metal dental fillings replaced with newer non-metallic materials.
Replacing Mental Dental Fillings
Over the last few years, concern has been raised regarding the possible toxicity of amalgams (the metal used in fillings). Because the material contains mercury, which has been proven to be toxic in some instances, some people believe that the mercury in amalgam fillings may be partially responsible for causing a number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism and multiple sclerosis. Although the metal in fillings is commonly referred to as silver, the material is actually made from a combination of metals, where silver is not the main component. The mixture typically consists of approximately 50% liquid mercury mixed with a composite powder made of approximately 22-32% silver, 14% tin, 8% copper and other trace metals including zinc.
The American Dental Association, the FDA and other public health agencies have since reported that there is insufficient proof that amalgam fillings are unsafe for use in dental treatment. There is also insufficient proof that the removal of such materials will prevent or cure the diseases for which they were once thought to cause. Many question why mercury is still used as the main component in amalgams and believe it should simply be removed from the mixture and replaced with another metal source, but mercury is a key component due to its inherent properties. When mixed with other metals, it helps make the material malleable enough to mold and compress into the cavity or area of decay, is able to harden quickly and is strong enough to withstand the pressure of daily use.
It has been proven that consistent overexposure to mercury (more common in mercury-based work environments) can cause fatigue, memory loss and persistent headaches, but since only very low levels of exposure are found in silver dental fillings, they don’t seem to cause any health-related side effects. It is thought that our bodies have become accustomed to these low levels since mercury is a metal that is naturally found in the environment via air, water, soil and even some foods.
Although you may not need to worry about the metal you currently have filling your cavities, fillings that are old and are no longer effective in protecting the tooth’s surface should be replaced. Today’s advanced technology has allowed for options to the traditional, but still effective, amalgam material. Many dental professionals now offer the option of using gold, porcelain, or tooth-colored composite resin fillings. Some patients prefer the use of tooth-colored materials for aesthetic reasons and like that the natural tooth color makes it virtually impossible to distinguish the filling material from the rest of the tooth, especially if the tooth is clearly visible with a quick flash of a smile.
For more information about amalgam and composite fillings, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
