Amalgam, or “silver”, fillings are the most commonly placed filling material according to the ADA. Since the largest component of amalgam is mercury, not silver, they should be referred to as mercury fillings. More than 78% of dentist surveyed by the ADA considered amalgam the material of choice because it is cheap, easy to place, and it’s longevity.

Yes not only does it cause damage to the brain it can also cause possible damage to the kidneys and immune system. Ref: Press conference of the Swedish Council for Planning and Coordinating Research Stockholm 19 February 1998 "Amalgam can cause brain damage in Children." See similar questions...

I begin by gathering as much information as possible. This process actually begins before your first visit in our office, with your giving us your complete dental and medical history, past testing and lab results, descriptions of symptoms and related background material. Having this information in advance, we can make the best and most efficient use of your appointment time, as my staff and I will already have some knowledge of your unique dental health situation. See similar questions...

Very small amounts of mercury can be released from the amalgam fillings. Testing equipment has enabled dentists to make this finding. It is also known that this release of mercury occurs mostly when the amalgam fillings are polished or removed. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

When mercury is combined with other materials in dental amalgam, its chemical nature changes, so it is essentially harmless. The amount released in the mouth under the pressure of chewing and grinding is extremely small and no cause for alarm. In fact, it is less than what patients are exposed to in food, air, and water. Ongoing scientific studies conducted over the past 100 years continue to prove that amalgam is not harmful. See similar questions...

According to the American Dental Association, they are safe to use. Amalgam fillings do not contain free mercury; therefore according to the ADA, they impart no health risk and need not be removed unnecessarily. See similar questions...

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

Amalgam Mercury (silver) fillings are a matter of medical dispute over whether they affect the health of people who have them as fillings in teeth. Many of the EPD related doctors will have some concern with the interaction of mercury with the immune system and allergies. Heavy metal exposures from a work environment (i.g. welding shops or metal/chemical processing) are also a related concern. On 6/3/97, Stan Rohrer <stan.rohrer at scitexdpi. See similar questions...

Generally, yes. Aside from the unappealing appearance of silver fillings, they can cause teeth to fracture over time. As a general rule, if the filling is small it is better to use tooth-colored material called a composite. As fillings get bigger, inlays and onlays are needed. These types of restorations support your teeth through bonding. They also hold up to chewing pressure, don't leak, and look like your real teeth. See similar questions...

There are several products that can help support the body when faced with possible exposures to toxic substances. Specifically for amalgam fillings, one could consider support in the form of Mercurius Pentas™ TMS, a potentized product. See our health conditions page on “toxicity—heavy metal” for more general info and ideas. Yes—and we think even better. See similar questions...

Yes. Amalgam fillings are linked to neurological problems gastrointestinal problems sleep disturbances concentration problems memory disturbances restlessness bleeding gums and other mouth disorders. Ref: The statistical analysis 17500 system questionnaires (Tubing Norway) on Mercury from amalgam. Press conference in Jan 1997. See similar questions...

On October 8, 2003, Geoffrey Grubbs, Director, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, testified before the House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Wellness and Human Rights. Read his testimony (PDF, 9pp, 81K, About PDF ) See similar questions...

White (composite resin) fillings offer advantages that mercury fillings do not offer. Obviously white fillings have more cosmetic value than mercury fillings. Other advantages offered by white fillings are that they cause less stress on the teeth. Mercury fillings are metal fillings. They expand and contract when we eat hot and cold foods and liquids. This expansion stresses the teeth causing the tooth to fracture. Many times this will lead to the need for a crown. See similar questions...

Our commitment to state-of-the-art, advanced dentistry, precludes the use of silver filling material (called amalgam) to restore your teeth. These are some of the reasons why: Mercury is a one of the most toxic substances known on earth. World renowned mercury toxicologists state that no amount of exposure to mercury vapor can be considered harmless. There are no studies proving that amalgam is safe when placed in the human body. In fact, amalgam has never been subjected to FDA testing. See similar questions...

Amalgam is composed of silver and mercury, which are combined (amalgamated) to create a filling material. Until recently, it was the material of choice to restore small to medium size cavities. Though it has never been implicated in causing health problems, there are some weaknesses associated with amalgam. It is metallic colored, and caused the entire tooth to gray. See similar questions...

The answer to this question depends on the reason you would like to replace your amalgam fillings. If you have a medical condition or illness and feel that you would have an overnight cure or resolution of your disease by replacing your fillings, the answer would be no. The Food and Drug Administration has concluded that amalgam causes no demonstrated clinical harm to patients and that removing amalgam will not prevent adverse health effects or reverse the course of existing diseases. See similar questions...

Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental we use white, tooth coloured materials to complete your restorations. However, contrary to the opinions of many anti-amalgam advocates, the use of amalgam as a filling material does not actually cause ill health. This view is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), supported by evidence-based scientific research. However, there can be good reason to replace them with beautiful white fillings. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...