Dental Amalgams: Safe & Sound

Silver fillings have gotten a bad rap over the years—typical rumors have it that silver amalgams' mercury content is connected to a host of health problems. However, before choosing a less durable dental restoration material, or rushing in to have your amalgams removed, do your teeth a favor…review the facts. As dental care experts, we find silver amalgams to be an affordable, durable filling choice, offering better moisture control, more stain resistance.

How Safe?

Over the past 10 years, there's been talk of the possibility that intense, chronic chewing pressure might cause silver fillings to leak mercury vapors into the body's system. And while it's true that the amalgam alloy is typically composed of approximately 43-54% elemental liquid mercury, there's no proof to support concern of it 'leaking'. In fact, after nearly 150 years of use and 10 years of extensive study/review by the FDA & U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), there's no scientifically supportable evidence that silver fillings cause any health problems at all, except in rare cases of allergy or hypersensitivity. So how safe are they? Very.

How Sound?

Others claim that over time, the constant pounding and intense chewing pressure on biting surfaces could actually change the amalgam's shape, while the underlying tooth structure remains constant. This difference could theoretically cause cracks in the filling, cracks in the tooth, and invite bacterial invasion. However, should your dentist observes any danger of cracking, he can safely and successfully replace them before they create any such problems. On the other hand, composite resins are less durable, requiring earlier replacement in most cases. So, how sound are dental amalgams? Very.

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