Amalgam fillings were once the best material for filling removed cavities in teeth caused by cavities and decay. However, concerns about dental fillings have made it necessary to remove them. If you’re looking to remove your fillings, Dr. Mensah can safely remove amalgam fillings in Chapel Hill, NC, and provide other excellent restorative procedures to improve your dental appearance.
A dental amalgam filling comprises various metallic elements, such as tin, copper, silver, and mercury. They are effective in sealing cavities, but the metals can become unstable and undergo corrosion over time. This can release harmful metallic compounds into the mouth, soft tissues, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract, causing damage to the tooth and other systemic health issues.
Our holistic dentists in Chapel Hill, Dr. Ralph Mensah and Dr. Michael Thomas, are experts at offering holistic dentistry services to help individuals care for their oral health naturally. In this guide, we have highlighted the signs to look out for to determine when it’s best to remove your amalgam fillings and ensure your oral and overall health.
What Is Amalgam?
Dental amalgam, also known as silver fillings, combines elemental mercury with powdered silver, tin, and copper alloy. A dental amalgam consists of 50% elemental mercury. This is because mercury is required to bind the other metals together to provide a durable filling.
Dental amalgams, which comprise these compositions, were once common. However, they are now replaced with more modern and safe tooth-colored materials.
Reasons Dentists Use Amalgam Fillings
Although modern and innovative teeth-filling options replace mercury fillings, they are still used by many dentists for various reasons. Here are some essential reasons why amalgam fillings are used to fill removed cavities in the teeth:
They are strong, durable, and less likely to break than other filling types.
Works effectively for patients with a high risk of tooth decay.
Great for patients with large tooth preparation and where moisture makes it difficult for filling materials such as resin to form a bond with the teeth.
Dental amalgam is the most affordable type of filling material.
Concerns About Mercury Fillings
Mercury has been known to cause adverse effects in the kidneys and brain when inhaled and absorbed into the body in small amounts. Hence, when the mercury filling placed on your teeth begins to erode due to corrosion, chewing, and other activities, patients would occasionally be exposed to low levels of mercury released into the body.
However, studies have shown that exposure to mercury from dental amalgam is not enough to cause adverse health issues to the general public. However, it can be neurotoxic and pose a greater risk to the following set of individuals:
People with heightened sensitivity to mercury and other elements present in an amalgam filling.
Pregnant women and their developing fetuses.
Individuals with impaired kidney function.
Women planning to get pregnant.
Children below the age of six.
Nursing women and their newborns.
Individuals with pre-existing neurological disease.
Am I a Candidate for Safe Removal of Mercury Fillings?
There are occasions when it becomes necessary to remove amalgam fillings. Without these occasions, removing amalgam fillings may cause more harm than good. When a good amalgam filling is removed, it can cause you to lose the healthy part of your tooth and release more mercury into your body. That’s why it's important to talk with your dentist to determine if it’s safe to remove your dental amalgam fillings.
You should only remove your amalgam fillings or replace them when:
They are broken.
There is decay beneath the filling.
They are eroding, or you notice some of the substance peeling away.
When there are systemic health concerns
While it's great to take precautions about the substances you put in your mouth, amalgam fillings do not pose many threats. However, if you’re worried about your existing amalgam fillings, you can discuss your options with our dentist.
Safe Amalgam Removal in Chapel Hill
Removing your amalgam is important, especially if you have a known allergy to mercury or your existing amalgam filling shows signs of corrosion. Our dentists, Dr. Mensah and Dr. Thomas, offer safe amalgam removal in Chapel Hill and can help you with other holistic options to care for your decayed tooth.
Visit our dental office today or schedule an appointment with our holistic dentist to safely remove your mercury fillings.