This alloy of silver, tin, copper and mercury has been used as a filling material for more than 165 years. The CDA and Health Canada stated that the amount released doesn’t pose any health risk to the average Canadian. Aesthetics -- the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. But because silver fillings contain mercury, many people ask the question: Are amalgam fillings safe? Fillings are typically required when a tooth is worn, decayed, or damaged. How Should I Care for My Teeth With Fillings? Health-conscious patients can expect to be treated with only the safest ingredients and techniques that factor in more than just a … To treat a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material was removed. Mercury fillings are used to fill cavities. As common as they are, some people wonder if dental fillings are safe. Patients should be informed of all their dental options and decide – along with the help of their dentist – the best solution for their needs. Although you may not be able to tell that a filling is wearing down, your dentist can identify weaknesses in them during a regular check-up. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding). To settle the suit, the FDA agreed to update its web site. All of the available dental fillings materials are safe. Dental Fillings 101: How To Choose. Call our holistic dental … Improper handling of mercury fillings at the dental office is HUGE contributor to why mercury is making its way into our food chain. Lack of durability -- composite fillings wear out sooner than amalgam fillings (lasting at least five years compared with at least 10 to 15 for amalgams); in addition, they may not last as long as amalgam fillings under the pressure of chewing and particularly if used for large cavities. Each on has some draw backs, some are more esthetic than others. Bonding to tooth structure -- composite fillings micro-mechanically bond to tooth structure, providing further support. The FDA and American Dental Association have said for years the material is safe, but advocates have called for a filling… By Dr. Jonathan B. Levine World-renowned NYC aesthetic dentist, oral health expert, author and inventor A dental filling is not safe for you, if have allergic hypersensitivity to the filling material. On the other side of the argument, it’s reported that the amount of mercury released from amalgam fillings is too small to worry about. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. I will reveal to you another dental fillings material that is among the safest dental filling material. Dental products are constantly changing and improving but not all of them are safe. It is commonly referred to as a silver filling. Jacqueline Veissid/Stockbyte/Getty Images. However, some experts disagree and claim that the safety of dental amalgams is questionable. Most dental insurance plans cover the cost of the composite fillings up to the price of the silver filling, then the patient may have to pay the difference. And there's more. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the FDA claim that amalgam fillings are safe and that the low levels of mercury they release does not present a health problem. Silver amalgam is made using a combination of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Metal-Amalgam Fillings. Studies have shown that dental amalgams do release trace amounts of mercury. I am getting my mercury amalgam filling removed next week and am feeling very frustrated that every mercury free alternative still poses health problems. Composites are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth. These were well below acceptable levels, and became undetectable a couple of hours later”. Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Composites? Allergic reactions -- a small percentage of people, approximately 1%, are allergic to the mercury present in amalgam restorations. Increased chair time -- because of the process to apply the composite material, these fillings can take up to 20 minutes longer than amalgam fillings to place. First, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth to be filled. Even though that composite resins does not last longer, most people do choose composite resins for dental fillings. Used widely in dentistry to choose from a typical skin allergy and include skin and... 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