Should I Have the Dentist Replace My Silver Mercury Fillings?
If you have silver mercury fillings, you may be wondering if you should have them removed.
TV reports have advised that you should do so, but is there any truth behind those reports? What's actually in them? Silver fillings are made of a material called amalgam.
This material is composed of several different metals including silver, mercury, copper and tin.
It may also contain zinc, palladium or indium.
Are they safe? The concern over this type of fillings is because of the mercury itself.
It is used because it helps to make the material pliable.
When it is mixed with a powder of other metals, it forms a compound that mixes well and can easily be pressed into a tooth.
This material also hardens quickly and is able to withstand the incredible force of biting and chewing.
Mercury is an element that is present in the environment.
People are exposed to it from the air, the water they drink and some of the foods they eat.
There have been concerns recently about the amount present in the fish we are eating.
Like many substances, the higher the level of mercury in a person's body, the more problems that may be present.
When people work with it, they may have high levels of it in their system.
These high levels can cause symptoms such as memory loss, headaches, fatigue and irritability.
The concern is how much mercury is release into the body from the fillings.
When they were first used, it was thought that no mercury was released.
However, recent studies have shown that tiny amounts can be released as the it wears down.
These studies have shown that the amount of mercury releasedis usually less than the amount a person acquires from the environment and the food they eat.
The U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration performed studies in 2009 that concluded that these fillings are safe for children Who should be concerned? A few people may have an allergic reaction to mercury.
This is a very rare occurrence and these people should have fillings made from other materials.
Pregnant women are often concerned about toxins.
While mercury can cross the placental barrier, older fillings will not present any health hazards to pregnant women.
However, if a woman needs to get a filling during pregnancy, it is recommended that she not choose a silver filling.
People who are exposed to higher levels of mercury may want to avoid these fillings.
This may include people who work with mercury or people who eat high amounts of seafood.
What are the alternatives? If you are concerned about mercury being released from your fillings, you can have your family dentist remove them.
Your family dentist will use a high power suction device to remove all of the amalgam material from your tooth.
Your dentist will then replace them with porcelain, composite resin or gold.
None of thesecontain mercury, but the composite resin fillings do wear out faster than silver and may not be suitable for every location.
Whether to replace them or not is an individual decision each person will have to make.
However, experts recommend only replacing them if they are worn out or broken.
TV reports have advised that you should do so, but is there any truth behind those reports? What's actually in them? Silver fillings are made of a material called amalgam.
This material is composed of several different metals including silver, mercury, copper and tin.
It may also contain zinc, palladium or indium.
Are they safe? The concern over this type of fillings is because of the mercury itself.
It is used because it helps to make the material pliable.
When it is mixed with a powder of other metals, it forms a compound that mixes well and can easily be pressed into a tooth.
This material also hardens quickly and is able to withstand the incredible force of biting and chewing.
Mercury is an element that is present in the environment.
People are exposed to it from the air, the water they drink and some of the foods they eat.
There have been concerns recently about the amount present in the fish we are eating.
Like many substances, the higher the level of mercury in a person's body, the more problems that may be present.
When people work with it, they may have high levels of it in their system.
These high levels can cause symptoms such as memory loss, headaches, fatigue and irritability.
The concern is how much mercury is release into the body from the fillings.
When they were first used, it was thought that no mercury was released.
However, recent studies have shown that tiny amounts can be released as the it wears down.
These studies have shown that the amount of mercury releasedis usually less than the amount a person acquires from the environment and the food they eat.
The U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration performed studies in 2009 that concluded that these fillings are safe for children Who should be concerned? A few people may have an allergic reaction to mercury.
This is a very rare occurrence and these people should have fillings made from other materials.
Pregnant women are often concerned about toxins.
While mercury can cross the placental barrier, older fillings will not present any health hazards to pregnant women.
However, if a woman needs to get a filling during pregnancy, it is recommended that she not choose a silver filling.
People who are exposed to higher levels of mercury may want to avoid these fillings.
This may include people who work with mercury or people who eat high amounts of seafood.
What are the alternatives? If you are concerned about mercury being released from your fillings, you can have your family dentist remove them.
Your family dentist will use a high power suction device to remove all of the amalgam material from your tooth.
Your dentist will then replace them with porcelain, composite resin or gold.
None of thesecontain mercury, but the composite resin fillings do wear out faster than silver and may not be suitable for every location.
Whether to replace them or not is an individual decision each person will have to make.
However, experts recommend only replacing them if they are worn out or broken.
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