Why Replacing Your Silver And Mercury Fillings Are Essential To Your Health

Traditionally, most tooth fillings were done with what's known as dental amalgam. This is an alloy composed primarily of silver, but with smaller portions of tin, copper, and other metals such as mercury. Mercury's toxic effects in children can impede development of the nervous system.

While there have been legitimate concerns over mercury poisoning in the past, in modern dentistry reports of mercury poisoning are extremely rare. In fact, the greater danger to dental health comes from the silver.

Silver Fillings Hide Decay

Metal fillings are impervious to X-rays, so if there's damage or decay beneath the filling, it may not be detected. Even with X-rays from multiple angles, a dental technician may only see 80 percent of what's going on in a cavity that's filled with silver. If the old cavity becomes decayed, it could develop into serious problems by the time of your next dental appointment and require more serious treatments, like a root canal.

Cracking In The Teeth

Silver fillings will actually make your tooth weaker. Especially if it was a large cavity that requires a large filling, the overall strength of the remaining tooth is still much weaker than a healthy tooth. The silver-mercury amalgam is simply packed in, and does not adhere completely. Silver fillings can loosen over time. Hard fillings distribute bite force unevenly to the surrounding tooth, so that by the mid-40s and 50s when a person hits middle age, there may be hairline cracks that aren't easy to spot.

If these cracks get large enough, they may result in chipped teeth that will require crowns or dentures. If cracks reach all the way to the tooth root, they may result in abscesses or infections that must be treated through dental surgery.

Modern Fillings

Today, dental professionals are using materials that can essentially restore the tooth, including matching the original color. These fillings are made of hard composite resins that better emulate tooth structure. Modern fillings will bond completely to the tooth cavity, so you get a filling that's much stronger and more stable. They are more permeable to X-rays, and any breakdown of the seal between filling and tooth becomes discolored, so that your dentist can see at once if there's a problem.

Talk to your dentist about the best options for you and your dental health. If you're uncomfortable with your old metal fillings and feel you might prefer a modern alternative, ask your dentist about other options so you can find a solution that works best for you.

Emma is a freelance writer currently living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on education and business. For dental professionals Emma recommends Plymouth Valley Dental Group. To see more from Emma, say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2