If you’ve ever had a cavity, chances are you’ve received amalgam fillings. Amalgam consists of a series of metals that can harm your health. Not only that, but they’re easy to spot when you open your mouth widely to eat, yawn, or sing.
Luckily, new dental advances offer alternative filling materials for a better and more realistic tooth appearance without the use of harmful toxins.
What Are Amalgam Fillings?
Amalgam or silver fillings are particularly distinguishable by their silver-like appearance. For the last century, they have been commonly used to fill cavities and restore teeth to their proper shape and size because they were durable and affordable. Unfortunately, they’re made from a combination of metals that contain mercury. Health ramifications for these materials have led to a change in the dental community.
Are Amalgam Fillings Dangerous?
Yes, amalgam fillings can be dangerous. According to the FDA, these fillings typically contain 50% elemental mercury and 50% other metals, such as silver, tin, and copper.
Due to its high level of mercury, this can be dangerous to your health, as it has the potential to release “low levels of mercury in the form of a vapor that can be inhaled and absorbed by the lungs. High levels of mercury vapor exposure are associated with adverse effects in the brain and the kidneys,” (FDA).
Avoid silver fillings altogether if these scenarios apply to you:
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Actively nursing
- Known allergies to mercury, silver, copper, or tin
- Children of any age, but particularly those younger than 6
- Diagnosed with impaired kidney function or neurological diseases
Because mercury poisoning is a top concern for patients, Dakota Dental stopped using amalgam fillings and replaced them with composite resin fillings.
Our Twin Cities dental team also offers safe amalgam removal services to help reduce the risk of patient exposure to mercury. If you have old silver fillings in your teeth, it’s time to get them out!
Why Remove Amalgam Fillings?
There’s a lot to gain by getting rid of these older fillings. The benefits of removing amalgam fillings include:
- Improve the strength of your teeth
- Avoid any more mercury exposure
- Protect your mouth and body from harmful chemicals
- Eliminate metallic taste in the mouth
Plus, natural-looking composites offer a better aesthetic appearance and blend in flawlessly with your natural teeth.
How Do You Safely Remove Silver Fillings?
The International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT) developed the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). This effective method includes rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental silver fillings in a safely controlled environment to reduce the potential adverse outcomes of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, office staff, and others.
Visit the IAOMT website to view their comprehensive patient-dentist checklist of SMART recommendations that we follow at our clinic before removing amalgam fillings.
Twin Cities Dentists Removing Mercury Fillings
Are you ready to prioritize your oral and overall health? Let’s get toxins out of your mouth so you can feel and look better. It’s easy to do.
If you’re interested in safely removing amalgam fillings, contact Dakota Dental today for an appointment at our Apple Valley dental clinic! We’ll discuss what you can expect at your consultation and prepare you for what’s ahead.
Let’s get that mercury out of there! Fill out a patient contact form, and a team member will reach out to you shortly. We look forward to taking care of you and your teeth.