What Is Dental Amalgam?

Basically, dental amalgams are known as silver fillings. In reality, they are a combination of mercury, tin, copper and a silver alloy. Roughly half of the mixture is constituted of mercury and is responsible for bonding these metals together to provide you with a reliable filling. The efficiency of mercury in blending these metals together and forming a stable filling is proven through scientific studies.

Is The Mercury Present In Dental Amalgams Safe?

Mercury used in dental amalgam is very safe. As this metal is mixed with other metals to form dental amalgam, its poisonous nature is no more present. The chemical nature of the resultant dental amalgam is quite different than that of natural mercury. There is no need to worry about the mercury you may consume while chewing or biting. This is much lower than what you consume through your normal food and water intake. This fact has been proven through scientific studies done over the last century or so. Claims to the contrary are fictional accounts created by conspiracy theorists. There is no scientific proof for these and other claims, which proclaim of magical improvements in health gained after removing these.

Why Are The Dentists Still Using Dental Amalgams?

The reliability of dental amalgams is gained from decades of satisfactory results. They have been in use for a century and half and are known for their great attributes like low cost, reliability, safety etc. Roughly a billion amalgam fillings are done in a year, all over the world. Dentists find dental amalgams to be really easy to manipulate and love this property. People looking for dental fillings still prefer dental amalgams for reasons like low cost, short turn around time for the filling, safety etc.

Why Are The Dentists Not Using Alternative Methods Other Than Dental Amalgam?

The most important reason is the cost. Dental amalgams are way cheaper than cast gold restorations, porcelain, composite resins etc. Gold and porcelain restorations need a lot more time to be completed and can’t be completed in a single session. Even though composite resins (white fillings) do look a lot better than others, they need a lot more time for the restoration to be completed. And none of these products other than gold are stronger than amalgam.

What If The Person Is Allergic To Mercury?

Only very few people, even lower than 1% of the general public, are known to be allergic to mercury. If you have a history of allergies from mercury, then you may have to undergo tests to confirm this. Once confirmed, your dentist may choose an alternative method.

Do People Get Amalgams Removed?

No. That can cause damages to your teeth along with the unnecessary costs.

What Are The Other Sources Of Mercury?

We are constantly being exposed to mercury from the air we breathe, water we drink and food we eat at a much higher level than what we might swallow from our dental amalgams.

How To Care For Your Silver Amalgam Fillings?

After applying dental amalgams, it may take a couple of weeks before these are totally set. Avoid chewing any thing at all using this new filling for one-day’s time. After one day’s time, you can chew carefully so as to not damage the new restoration.
The person may feel sensitivity towards certain food items. This can last for a few months or more.
As the gums and lips can be numb after the procedure, pay special attention so that you will not bite on them. Reduce the spices used in your food until the numbness is gone.
As the mouth area is numb, you may have difficulty in gauging the accuracy of your bite. In case you have doubts about the accuracy of the bite, contact the dentist immediately, so that he can redo the filling for you. If the bite is not correct, sensitivity felt on them can be quite prominent. As unusual pressure is exerted on these fillings, they may break due to the inability to withstand it.
If you have the habit of grinding your teeth, let your dentist know this. They may provide you with protective shield so as to protect the new fillings.
Food items like ice, hard candy, sticky food items etc should be reduced (if not avoided) so as to reduce the stress load of your new fillings.
Avoid using chewing gums, as they can add to the stress on your new fillings.
Make it a habit that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once every day. Brushing before going to bed at night is a must to do.
Never miss out on any of your half yearly dentist visits.