Can silver fillings make me sick?
Tooth decay starts when plaque builds up on the teeth and the tooth enamel is eroded by acid formed by the saliva and bacteria, when left untreated this leads to pain, cavities, abscess, and tooth loss. When treating cavities, the area is drilled and remove the decays, and filled with an amalgam or tooth-colored fillings. However, the tooth-colored fillings came out later and were more costly than the traditional amalgam filling meaning there are some or most of the older generations who have an amalgam filling since their childhood. Choice of filling would also depend on the location of the cavities, if it is in an area of the cavity is visible tooth-colored filling will be used.
That silver fillings you see in your teeth to fill the cavities may have something to do with your current health. Dental amalgam filling contains approximately 50% liquid mercury the other 50 % is powder alloy, silver tin, and copper. Mercury when at room temperature is in liquid form but it bonds perfectly with an alloy powder, it is cheap, easy to apply, and durable making it an important component of dental fillings.
Since mercury has been recognized as a poison to humans, there are concerns about possible poisoning caused by dental amalgams that have been tackled by experts. But most studies have found no link between amalgam fillings and mercury poisoning in all age groups, however, there are a small group of patients who had allergic reactions to amalgam fillings. Continued research is still ongoing to understand the possible impact on the fetus and breast-feeding infants.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of amalgam fillings?
Advantage:
· Less likely to break, strong, and lasts longer
· Affordable almost half the price of tooth-colored fillings
· Good for filling large cavities and easily attaches where it’s difficult for the resin to bond
· It has been used for a long time and is safe according to the FDA
Disadvantages:
· It can cause allergic reactions to some people
· A silver color filling is only used in teeth where it is less visible
· Mercury poisoning risk, mercury is released in low levels of vapor and can be absorbed by the lungs and may have been associated with harmful effects in the kidney and brain
· Health risk for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with pre-existing neurological diseases.
· Health risk for children younger than 6 years
Should I have my amalgam fillings removed?
FDA has recommended that if your amalgam fillings are still intact and have no decay it is not necessary to replace or remove your amalgam fillings. Because removing an old intact amalgam filling may result in loss of healthy tooth structure and possible inhalation of mercury vapor that may be released during the removal. Unless medically required to be removed or replaced, you may discuss this with your dentist and physician.
DentistConsultationHub.com is your reliable partner in Dental treatment, ranging from Oral diagnosis, veneers, crowns to implant dentistry. We provide consultation on of all your dental needs and match you to a prequalified dentist. Visit our website, and get a virtual consultation with our Dentists in dental clinics from all over the world.
DentistConsultationHub.com is a virtual network of dental professionals offering unbiased dental expert opinion using specialized artificial intelligence technology for patients. The company services include New Consultation, Second Opinion, Dispute Resolution, Peer Support & Dentist-Matching Services. For more information, please email contact@DentistConsultationHub.com. Get Started for Free !
