Amalgam fillings, sometimes referred to as ‘silver fillings’, are the most commonly placed filling material according to the American Dental Association (ADA). The material typically contains about 50% mercury Silver and mercury form a stable compound the ADA maintains is safe, as opposed to elemental mercury which is considered a toxic and hazardous material. Several European countries have totally banned the use of this compound for filling teeth.

Due to important and technological advances such as ceramics and composite (tooth colored) fillings we rarely do silver amalgam fillings.

It's time to stop calling it silver amalgam and start calling it what it is-mercury. There is nothing more toxic in a dentist's office than mercury, unless you have some plutonium laying around." -Charles Brown, Counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice. The San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/04/99.

Although amalgam fillings have been used for over 150 years and no verifiable adverse health effects have been documented aside form a rare allergic reaction no large scale studies have been done demonstrating either the presence or absence of adverse health effects. Consensus among major dental organizations, based on years of use and lack of verifiable toxic effects of dental amalgam, is that amalgam fillings are certainly safe.

No, tooth colored fillings are our treatment of choice. Either direct filled composites or indirect inlays and crowns can be provided in almost all situations. However on occasion, if a silver filling is necessary, we use the safest material available.

Silver" amalgams are over 50% mercury, and mercury is a heavy metal similar in characteristics to lead. A growing group of doctors believes that mercury toxicity may be at the bottom of many of the chronic health ills in this country. Several European countries have outlawed silver amalgam fillings. In California, dentists using mercury-containing materials must post signs notifying the public.

Dentists remove fillings every day. However, this is usually done in a manner exposing the patient to dangerous levels of mercury. Therefore, it is best to seek out a dentist who knows how to protect the patient from this increased exposure is also knowledgeable in detoxification protocols.

Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of amalgam (silver/mercury) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this blended metal to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy is due to claims that the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems.

It does not make sense from either a general health point of view or a cost point of view to replace amalgam fillings simply on the basis of the current questions being asked about possible amalgam toxicity. Replacement may be considered for individuals sensitive to dental amalgam. Yes, dentists recognize patient concerns with respect to choice of restorative materials and the patient's right to choose a dental material or to refuse treatment with any material.

It is the opinion of most dentist that amalgam fillings should only be replaced if they are no longer functional for the patient. This means that if an amalgam is intact, able to be kept free of plaque, and allows proper chewing, there is no reason to replace the amalgam filling at this time.