The Safety Impact of Silver Mercury Fillings: Should we be Concerned?
Natural Dentistry is all about safety for our patients — we never want to risk your mouth and overall health. Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates use safe metal-free restorations to treat dental issues. We believe in treating dental issues without introducing other problems in your body. So, when you come for cavity treatment in our Clearwater, Florida, office, we use metal-free restorations to restore your smile.
What are mercury silver fillings?
In the past, and even today, dentists used silver mercury fillings to treat cavities and tooth decay. These fillings, sometimes called metal fillings, are made from several metals, including silver, tin, and copper. In addition to other metals, these fillings comprise approximately 50% mercury (by weight), raising significant concerns due to their potential adverse effects!
The dangers of silver mercury fillings
When a patient with silver mercury fillings chews, this simple action releases 2-20 micrograms daily; imagine what this has done to your body over the years. The effects of mercury are scary!
Mercury poisoning causes numerous health complications, including headaches, kidney damage, insomnia, nerve damage, respiratory failure, etc. Worse yet, pregnant mothers and those planning to get pregnant are at an increased risk. Studies have shown that mercury exposure has devastating effects on unborn children.
With all these dangers, you may ask why mercury is used in dental fillings. Mercury is preferable because it’s flexible and versatile to fill gaps, fissures, and cracks in teeth. When mixed with an alloy powder, mercury hardens quickly to restore your tooth.
Safe removal for silver mercury fillings
We proudly offer metal-free fillings as an alternative, and if you have existing silver mercury fillings, rest assured that our team is equipped with the necessary training and advanced technology to remove and replace your silver mercury fillings.
Are there alternatives to silver mercury fillings?
Most dentists have now switched to composite (white) fillings. They are made from a mixture of liquid resin and finely ground glass particles and are safer for restoring teeth. White fillings neither contain mercury nor change in size as temperatures change, unlike their metal counterparts.
And that’s not all. White fillings can be color-matched with the surrounding teeth for undetectable results — this contrasts with metal fillings that appear grey or dark in your mouth. Furthermore, composite fillings are conservative when treating cavities. The dentist only removes a small portion of your tooth, leaving much of the healthy structure intact.
Modern composite fillings are resilient to the daily stress of chewing and grinding. So, whether you want to restore your teeth in the front or back, composite fillings are up for the task.
Ditch silver mercury fillings for safer and beautiful metal-free restorations
At Natural Dentistry, we understand the dangers of mercury. We never use mercury or metal restorations because of their safety concerns.
If you are interested in metal-free restorations or the safe removal of mercury fillings, please call 727-888-6929 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates.
