What You Need To Know About Dental Amalgam Fillings

Dental amalgam is a filling material used to stop dental cavities. Also known as silver fillings, it is made with mercury, tin, copper, and silver. Occasionally, other metals may also be included in dental amalgam fillings.

Dental amalgam has been in use for more than a century in this type of work. The tough, sturdy substance holds up firmly when placed in a moist environment. It can also bear the continuous temperature fluctuations within the mouth.

Why Is Mercury Present in Dental Amalgam?

Liquid mercury makes up about fifty percent of amalgam fillings. Alloy particles of copper, tin, and silver form the other half. The mercury helps to bind the alloys together to form a solid and durable dental filling.

Mercury takes a liquid form at room temperature. It also bonds properly with the alloy particles, which makes it an integral constituent of amalgam fillings. It is responsible for Amalgam fillings durability.

Is Dental Amalgam Safe?

Amalgam dental fillings are safe. When mercury is combined with other metals, it creates a safe and stable material. Several scientific studies have confirmed the safety of dental amalgam.

Comprehensive studies done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, World Health Organization, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration all confirm that dental amalgam is a safe and effective material for filling cavities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, Alzheimer’s Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Autism Society of America also confirmed that amalgam doesn’t have any negative impacts on health.

Potential Amalgam Risks

While dental amalgam is deemed safe, it may pose some risks due to the mercury content. Dental amalgam releases small amounts of mercury in the vapor form. The vapor can move into your lungs when inhaled.

Too much exposure to the mercury vapor might have a negative impact on the kidneys and brain, but regular dental checkups avert any detrimental effects from amalgam fillings and maintain oral health.

Visit your dentist at least twice a year and share any concerns you may have about your teeth and amalgam fillings.