BSN Stock Photo

Sometimes dental cavities are unavoidable, no matter how diligently a person brushes and flosses daily. Cavities are the result of tooth decay and can cause a range of sensations from minor tooth sensitivity to severe toothaches. The treatment for a minor cavity is for a qualified dentist to drill out the decayed part of the tooth and insert a filling. Today there are different types of dental filling materials used by dentists, including:

• Silver amalgam
• Porcelain
• Gold
• Composite resin

The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that mercury-based silver amalgam fillings have been used by dentists to fill patient cavities for more than a century. And while these types of fillings continue to be used, more and more dentists are recommending different options for their patients because of possible health concerns and the unattractive nature of silver fillings in a patient’s mouth.

Concerns over Mercury Fillings

The medical community is at odds over the silver amalgam filling controversy. Silver amalgam fillings are made up of mercury, tin, copper, silver and other elements, with the toxic element mercury comprising 50% of the material. Opponents of mercury fillings worry that these toxic mercury vapors will be released and enter the body over time. Chronic mercury poisoning has been known to cause:

• Oral problems, such as loose teeth, bone loss or gum inflammation
• Psychological problems, such as mood swings, hallucinations or memory loss
• Neurological problems, such as headaches, dizziness or tremors
• Lung problems, such as coughing, asthma or shortness of breath
• Cardiovascular problems, such as chest pain, anemia or irregular heartbeat

Advantages of Mercury Fillings

The ADA continues to stand behind the use of amalgam fillings. Major health organizations have studied the claims about the safety of amalgam fillings and found them to be safe, reliable and effective in the restoration of damaged teeth. The organizations involved in the studies included the:

• Food and Drug Administration
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization
• U.S. Public Health Service

Advocates of amalgam fillings point to the advantages of using this type of material for cavities. Mercury fillings are:

• Durable
• Strong
• Inexpensive
• Easy to use

Disadvantages of Mercury Fillings

Besides the potential health risks, amalgam fillings have some other disadvantages. Silver amalgam fillings are:

• Unattractive: The silver tends to darken over time and can be very noticeable when people laugh or talk.
• Subject to temperature changes: Expansion and contraction of the silver fillings can lead to further tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, tooth fractures or cause the filling to fall out.

Regardless of the research done in this arena, some dentists have established “metal free” dental practices because of the health risks that mercury fillings can pose to a person’s overall well-being. Many dentists now use porcelain fillings to provide a safe, strong and natural-looking alternative to silver amalgam fillings.

More Info from the Author:

If you are concerned about the silver amalgam fillings you currently have, Phoenix, Arizona cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott LeSueur can expertly remove the fillings and replace them with a more natural-looking and safe material. Please visit his website to schedule a free dental filling consultation.