What’s in a Silver Filling?
Silver fillings, known clinically as amalgams, are synthetic materials that are used to restore a portion of a tooth damaged by decay. Many amalgams are actually a combination of various metal alloys, including copper, tin, silver, and mercury. This mercury, a binding agent used in amalgam, has come under scrutiny lately by some health officials who claim that it may cause long term health problems.
Is Mercury in a dental amalgam safe?
According to many dental authorities in Canada and the USA, there has been no scientific evidence to show that amalgams are harmful because the small amounts of mercury are so stable, they present no risk to humans. There have been rare cases of patients developing allergic reactions to amalgams.
Do we use Amalgam in our office?
NO. We only use white filling materials in our office mainly because of its life-like properties and ability to bond to the tooth. Although safe, amalgams have shown to cause more tooth cracks due to the metallic tendency to expand in a warm environment.
White Filling Materials
These are alternatives to conventional amalgams. They include materials from composite resins and porcelain, which are colored to match the natural tooth.
Composite Fillings
A mixture of resins and fine particles designed to mimic the color of natural teeth. While not as strong as dental amalgams, composite resins provide a pleasing aesthetic alternative.
Ionomers (Compomers)
Like composite resins, ionomers or compomers are tooth-colored. They are typically used for fillings near the gum line or tooth root or in baby teeth where biting pressure is not a factor. They are more fragile than amalgams but do release fluoride to reduce any chance of re-decay.
Porcelain
This material is a combination of porcelain, glass powder, and ceramic. It is typically made in two appointments. Porcelain fillings (known as onlays or inlays) are more durable and also far more aesthetic than composite resins or ionomers.
