Metal amalgam fillings — called “silver” fillings although they’re mostly made of mercury and turn black in your mouth — were a reasonable technology when no alternatives existed. But, now that there are alternative fillings, you will probably want to replace your metal fillings with the new alternative materials. Here are six benefits of replacing your metal amalgam fillings with tooth-colored fillings.
You’ll Look Younger
Metal amalgam fillings can make your smile look older because they’re an older technology. These fillings will automatically date you as someone who had their teeth worked on in the 20th century. No matter what else people might judge you on, they will know your age by your teeth.
You’ll Look Healthier
Another problem with metal amalgam fillings is that once they turn black many people can’t distinguish them from cavities. Every time you laugh or talk, people might see a mouth full of black fillings and think that your teeth are actually full of cavities.
You’ll Look More Successful
Where metal amalgam fillings are still being used, it’s as an inexpensive alternative to better filling materials. When people see your metal amalgam fillings, they will assume that you either don’t or didn’t have the money to get your teeth filled properly.
Metal Fillings Can Cause Sensitivity
Metal conducts temperature very well, which means that metal amalgam fillings can conduct heat and cold closer to the nerve in your tooth, which leads to sensitivity. They also expand and contract at a different rate than your tooth enamel, which can put pressure on the tooth nerve. And they can cause cracks in your teeth that allow hot or cold liquid to penetrate the teeth. Read more about sensitivity from metal fillings here.
Metal Fillings May Be Dangerous
We know that mercury is a toxic element. We know that metal amalgam fillings are about 50% mercury by weight. A new study published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology shows that people with dental amalgam fillings do show higher levels of mercury in their urine and suggests that seven or more amalgam fillings may be the level of toxic exposure.
The research was conducted by Canadian researchers who looked at the number of surfaces of dental amalgam fillings in a group of more than 2100 individuals. They found that people with amalgam fillings did have a statistically significant higher level of mercury in their urine than people without mercury fillings. The average difference between people with mercury fillings and those without was 0.55 µg/g of creatine. Using linear regression, researchers identified that 7 mercury fillings might be tipping point for a potentially dangerous exposure, because people with 7 or more mercury fillings might have 30 to 50% more mercury in their urine than people without mercury amalgam fillings.
Researchers concluded that the use of metal amalgam fillings resulted in a non-negligible and unnecessary mercury exposure. In the past, some have argued that the amount of exposure people received from metal amalgam fillings was small, but this and other research confirms that it results in a significant increase in exposure to toxic mercury, and even puts an upper limit on the number of amalgam fillings that should be used.
The good news is that you don’t have to continue to live with mercury in your mouth. Alternatives exist, including the potential for composite plastic fillings, which can be used to safely replace your metal amalgam fillings. Removing silver fillings can stop your exposure and reduce the accumulation of mercury in your system.
It’s Better for the Environment
Elemental mercury passes through us and into the environment in many ways. Through our urine, through our breath, and through the release of mercury from our fillings if we are cremated. Having your mercury fillings safely disposed of can reduce your contribution to environmental mercury. In fact, this is why more than a 150 nations have pledged to try to eliminate mercury sources, including dental amalgam.
If you’re convinced that now is the time to remove your metal amalgam fillings, please call (912) 234-8282 for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Savannah at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry.
