Mercury Safe Dentistry
Mercury/Silver amalgam is a mixture of silver and other trace metals that are mixed with liquid mercury. It is then placed into a tooth and carved to shape and allowed to harden. It is still one of the most popular materials to repair teeth used in the world today. It is easy to use and lasts a reasonable time depending on the patient, how they take care of their teeth, the foods they eat, and the pressure on their teeth when chewing/clenching. In some countries the use of Mercury/Silver fillings is now banned for use in children and pregnant women. In some countries it is banned for use for anyone.
I quit doing Mercury/Silver fillings many years ago because I was reading a lot of information about the possible harmful effects of using mercury and the problem created by disposing of unmixed mercury. Mercury is one of the most toxic chemicals and is a neurotoxin. I determined that if I would not want this material in my teeth and would not place it in the teeth of my children, they why would I use it on anyone else? It is a very controversial subject, however I decided to have all the Mercury/Silver fillings removed from my mouth and replaced with porcelain or tooth colored fillings. I had a lot of Mercury/Silver fillings so I had one fourth of my mouth restored at each visit. When you numb your mouth for dental work, you typically will numb one fourth of the mouth at a time and so it just makes a lot of sense to do everything in that area at the same time.
I chose tooth colored materials because I wanted my teeth to look natural with no metal showing, but more importantly, I wanted to know that I was improving my health in the long run!
Still today, we have basically five materials that we use to repair and restore teeth. They are; Mercury/Silver, composite, gold, porcelain and zirconia. We do not use Mercury/Silver fillings in our office.
Mercury Safe Dentistry FAQ
Where can I get more information about Mercury Amalgam fillings?
What is a Mercury Safe Dentist?
What is the difference between a Mercury Free and a Mercury Safe Dentist?
My Silver Mercury fillings are over 20 years old. When I replace them what is the material used instead of Silver Mercury?
Composite fillings require more skill, experience and time than mercury fillings, plus a curing light is needed to harden these fillings. Every patient is different and your tooth may require more extensive repair after the old filling and any new decay, as well as fractures or cracks are removed. Other options are Crowns or onlays. We will discuss all options prior to your treatment.
What do I do if an old crown that needs to be replaced has a Silver/Mercury (amalgam) filling under it that the xray cannot verify?
What Are my Options for Crown Materials if I am Trying to Avoid Metals?
We are always happy to go over all available options for your treatment if you have any questions. To schedule an appointment, please call 828.699.8781 or visit https://www.andersdds.com/contact