Metal Mouth: The Harmful Effects of Mercury in Fillings

Amalgam or silver fillings are extensively being used in dental practice. They fill cavities caused by tooth decay.

While this helps restore teeth function, several studies show that silver fillings can expose patients to mercury and its harmful effects. Good thing there are alternatives!

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/metal-mouth-the-harmful-effects-of-mercury-in-fillings/

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mercury amalgam Dental amalgam composite resin fill https sunrise dentistry health

Amalgam or silver fillings are extensively being used in dental practice. They fill cavities caused by tooth decay.

While this helps restore teeth function, several studies show that silver fillings can expose patients to mercury and its harmful effects. Good thing there are alternatives!

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/metal-mouth-the-harmful-effects-of-mercury-in-fillings/

About ADMS

Advanced Digital Media

mercury amalgam Dental amalgam composite resin fill https sunrise dentistry health

Metal Mouth: The harmful
effects of mercury in
fillings
B L O G  |  S U N R I S E  D E N T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Dental amalgam has been used in
dentistry for more than 150 years.
Many dentists use amalgams to fill
cavities, which have used in hundreds
of millions of patients. The main
concern of dental amalgams lies in
the fact that it contains mercury.
While the FDA currently claims that
the amount of mercury used in dental
amalgam is safe, they admit that
health risks exist. This article will
help you to better understand what
dental amalgams are and the
potential health risks they pose. At
Sunrise Dentistry, we offer safe
alternatives to dental amalgams that
are always mercury free.
What is Amalgam and Why is
Mercury Used?
Dental amalgam is more commonly
known as a silver filling; however,
silver is only a small part of what
makes up dental amalgam. 43-54%
of dental amalgams are mercury,
while other components include
silver, tin, and copper with possible
amounts of zinc, indium, and
palladium.
Mercury is used in dental amalgams
because it makes the material pliable.
When mixed with an alloy powder, it
is soft enough to press into the tooth.
It also hardens quickly, can
withstand biting and chewing, and
lasts for 20+ years.
Issues in Dentistry
Mercury in amalgam is considered
harmless, and continues to be used
daily in dentistry. However, many
health issues can arise from
amalgam. 
First off, mercury is a neurotoxin,
which when used for fillings is placed
one inch away from your brain. As
the filling wears over time, small
amounts of mercury can be released
in the form of vapor. This can lead to
mercury build up in body organs.
In 2010, the FDA warned against the
use of amalgam within vulnerable
populations. These populations
include children, pregnant women in
regards to the fetus, hypersensitive
people, and people with kidney
impairments. While low levels of
mercury don’t cause ill effects,
higher levels can result in anxiety,
irritability, memory loss, headaches,
and fatigue.
Alternatives
Other alternatives exist that do not
contain mercury. These include
composite resin, glass ionomer
cement, porcelain, and gold. While
amalgam use has decreased over the
years, it is still the most widely used
material due to the fact that it’s the
cheapest option and holds up well
over time.
Composite resin, however, is a
suitable alternative. Its cost is
considered moderate and is either
white or adjusted to match the color
of your tooth enamel. Composite
resin also adapts better to any cavity
size, whereas amalgam struggles to
adhere to smaller cavities. Therefore,
amalgam can damage healthy areas
of a tooth in order to cover a cavity.
Amalgam also can tarnish or darken
the tooth over time.
Other Dangers
Aside from direct effects in dentistry,
amalgam has shown to impact the
environment as well. Amalgam
accounts for 240-300 tons of
mercury entering the market every
year. U.S. dental offices are the
second largest user of mercury; the
first is power generation.
Dental amalgam pollutes land, air,
and water. Land is impacted by
mercury through landfills, burials,
and fertilizer. Air is infected through
cremation, dental clinic emissions,
sludge incineration, and respiration.
Lastly, water comes in contact with
mercury by way of dental clinic
releases as well as human waste.
Both of these issues are responsible for
the largest source of mercury in our
wastewater. The form of mercury used
in amalgam is considered elemental.
Once this mercury is exposed to the
environment, however, it converts to
methylmercury. This form of mercury
is what is commonly found in the fish
we consume. Therefore, amalgam
impacts not only an individual, but the
environment as well.
Sunrise Dentistry strives to provide
not only dental health, but whole
body health as well. By eliminating
mercury from our practice, we are
helping you to live a happier and
healthier life. We offer biocompatible
dental fillings, mercury level testing,
and mercury removal. Call us at 970-
247-3303 (Durango) or 970-533-7204
(Mancos) to schedule your
appointment today!
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
PHONE NUMBER
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
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