A lot has been written about dental amalgam fillings over the past few years and it is difficult to ascertain what is true and what is simply scaremongering. Dental amalgam fillings are strong and durable alloy fillings, usually comprised of a mix of 46 to 57 per cent silver and 43 to 54 per cent liquid mercury. Amalgam fillings, often referred to as silver fillings, were invented in France in the 1800s and have been used all over the world to fill cavities in patients teeth. In more recent years, amalgam fillings have been replaced in many areas by composite resin fillings. These resin filings have the advantage of being tooth coloured and therefore don’t stand out as much as silver fillings.
Controversy has surrounded the use of amalgam fillings ever since they were first used in the 1800s. Many patients and clinicians feel and have felt that the use of poisonous mercury in the teeth was very damaging to the overall health of the patient. This is because vapour is released from the mercury when the fillings are placed. Vapour is also released when the mercury is agitated, during eating for example. Many people feel this vapour is harmful to the organs of the body and vast amounts of research has been undertaken to try and prove this theory. However, it must be said that the US Centre for Disease Control and the National Institutes for Health and Food and Drug Administration have been unable to find any scientific proof that mercury vapours released into the body can cause any risk of harm to the patient.
Amalgam fillings are very strong and durable but they have other disadvantages. They do not look as pleasant as resin fillings and can cause weakening of the tooth due to expansion over time. For patients who are concerned about the negative aspects of amalgam fillings and are thinking about having them replaced with resin fillings, it is necessary to weigh up the risks against damage to teeth during removal with the benefits of having the mercury fillings replaced. A City of Leeds dentist will be able to go through the advantages and disadvantages with you and help you to decide on the best course of action.
