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Your oral health plays a big role in your overall health—if you’re committed to it by regularly visiting a dentist in Hendersonville, NC, you probably already know that. The last thing you want, then, is for your dental restoration to work against it. However, more and more studies suggest that mercury fillings are actually harmful to your body.
As dentistry evolves, new materials are explored that ensure functionality, safety, and patient preferences while prioritizing your dental well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of these amalgam fillings while mentioning some mercury-free options that align with evolving standards of safety and efficacy.
Mercury fillings, also known as amalgam fillings or silver fillings, are a mixture of mercury and a powdered alloy of silver, tin, and copper used to fill cavities and restore teeth in both appearance and functionality.
Approximately, amalgams contain:
One of the most widely used cavity fillers nowadays is amalgam. However, the European Union has recently prohibited the use of mercury fillings in children under 15 and in pregnant or nursing women. In the following years, a number of European nations plan to outright prohibit mercury fillings, too.
This is because amalgam gradually releases trace amounts of mercury fumes. According to autopsy studies, bodies with amalgam fillings have two to twelve times more mercury in their skin than bodies without the fillings.
Mercury may be absorbed into the brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract and can cause mercury toxicity or poisoning, which is harmful to health in the long term. And while low concentrations of inhaled mercury don't usually harm most people, those who are at high risk may be more susceptible to negative health effects.
Moreover, a person's habits, like grinding their teeth, or the age of the filling may also affect how much fumes are released.
So, why are these fillings so widely used in the United States, still?
The use of amalgam fillings to cover cavities in the United States started around 150 years ago, but they’ve been controversial since their introduction.
When it was first established, the only dental association in the US declared that using mercury fillings was malpractice. After all, by the middle of the 1800s, fatal cases of mercury poisoning were being reported.
Still, most dentists have never stopped using mercury in fillings. Amalgams are very durable, without being too harsh to oppositely placed teeth like gold can be. They also form easily to the shape of your tooth.
Additionally, mercury has antibacterial properties. Amalgam fillings can kill bacteria in their immediate environment and stop tooth decay from spreading to neighboring tooth structures. Moreover, they are one of the most affordable types of fillings.
For all of these reasons, around half of all dentists in the United States use it. Since many people never suffer any negative health effects from amalgam fillings, the majority of government and health agencies continue to view them as generally safe.
In fact, the current American Dental Association (ADA) isn’t opposed to amalgam fillings. According to them, the amount of mercury used isn’t dangerous, except for specific cases.
According to information obtained by the FDA, some populations may be more vulnerable to the negative health effects of mercury vapor released from the device. As a result, they advise against getting dental amalgam for the following high-risk groups:
Furthermore, studies show that individuals who work with this type of mercury, such as dentists, dental students, and staff, may also be exposed to hazardous levels of mercury.
As you can see, amalgam fillings can have various long-term consequences. However, your dentist should decide whether to remove them.
It is crucial to consider each situation individually when deciding whether to remove mercury-containing restorative material, as doing so may expose you to higher levels of mercury than leaving it in.
People who may be encouraged to remove their amalgam fillings are:
First, you should have your mercury levels tested. If you don’t have a significant amount of mercury circulating in your blood, or you aren’t exhibiting visible adverse effects, having your amalgam fillings removed may not be worth it.
The 24 hours following the placement of the dental amalgam filling and the 24 hours following its removal are when you are most likely to be exposed to mercury. So, after you get your mercury fillings removed, it is important to compare your post-op mercury levels to your pre-op levels.
If you’re considering removing your mercury fillings, make sure to look for an experienced dentist who uses safe alternatives for your mouth.
The materials used in dental fillings significantly impact long-term health and well-being. Although amalgam fillings have been used for hundreds of years, the potential health risks associated with mercury have prompted increased research into alternative materials.
Instead of using dental amalgam to fill cavities, look for a "mercury-free" dentist who can provide a better alternative. Contact Black Bear Dental today and restore your smile without putting your health at risk!
