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Inbox: Silver Fillings? Should I fix them?

Hello Everyone!!

Over the weekend I received an email from a patient that I thought I would share with everyone.

The email reads:

Doc,

Remember those silver fillings on my left side? They dont hurt me or anything like that, but they are UGLY. Can we change them to white fillings? Or shoudl I leave it alone?

Thanks,

MH-

Silver fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, have been used by dentists all around the world for many years. It is a mixture of metals consisting of liquid (elemental) mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. Approximately 50% of dental amalgams is elemental mercury by weight. However, there are a few pros and cons that I thought I would share with everyone.

Pros-
Amalgam fillings are strong, long lasting, and less likely to break than any other types of fillings. And, it tends to be inexpensive.

Cons-
Here is where it gets interesting. Amalgam fillings contain mercury, but not the same mercury you would find in fish. Its an elemental mercury, that has the potential to release mercury vapor in the air which can be absorbed by our lungs! Who wants to breathe that in?

Although at a slow rate, amalgams can expand and have the potential to crack your tooth or teeth. I recommend that patients replace their amalgams (silver fillings) to a resin-based filling which are color matched and less invasive.

In fact, most offices have eliminated amalgam fillings altogether.

So stop metalling aroung (HA!), call the office to schedule an appointment and we can check out any that may be of concern to you!

Dr E.






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