06 Dec 3 Benefits of Removing Amalgam Fillings
Have you ever wondered if you can get rid of an unsightly metal filling? Advancements in holistic dentistry have allowed for the safe removal of amalgam fillings. There are, in fact, many benefits to removing amalgam fillings, like protecting you against prolonged exposure to mercury. If you have metal fillings, you might want to consider replacing them with fillings made from a safer material.
Why Should You Remove Amalgam Fillings?
Although amalgam fillings are currently FDA-approved, many people decide to remove them due to concerns over their high mercury content. They are typically made up of 50% mercury, and the remaining 50% is a mixture of other metals (like silver, tin, and copper).
Amalgam fillings can release small amounts of mercury vapor, which your lungs absorb when you breathe. Although a small amount of vapor isn’t dangerous on its own, over time, multiple releases of the vapor can cause mercury to build up in your body and increase your risk of brain and kidney problems.
Some people also have an allergic reaction to mercury, which causes lesions in the mouth. If you recently received amalgam fillings and are having an adverse reaction, see your dentist right away and ask about having those fillings replaced.
You also need to remove amalgam fillings if they ever become loose, cracked, or otherwise damaged. Broken amalgam fillings cause higher amounts of mercury vapor to be released, increasing the risk of dangerous health effects. Plus, damaged fillings made from any material must be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further decay of the affected tooth.
Is Removing Amalgam Fillings Dangerous?
The process of removing amalgam fillings can cause larger amounts of mercury vapor to be released. But at Prescott Dentistry, we take as many precautions as we can to minimize your exposure.
To protect you from mercury, we:
- Give you protective eyewear during the procedure
- Use a tooth isolation system or dental dam to minimize mercury vapor release
- Remove the fillings in large chunks, which also reduces the amount of vapor released
- Work with your naturopathic doctor to schedule IV therapies to detoxify your body
Three Benefits of Removing Amalgam Fillings
Aside from reducing your exposure to mercury, there are many other benefits of safely removing amalgam fillings. Here are three of the best reasons to replace them with resin or biomimetic fillings.
1: Improve Your Smile
Depending on the size and placement of amalgam fillings, their dark silver color can be extremely noticeable whenever you open your mouth. If you feel self-conscious about speaking, laughing, yawning, etc., replacing metal fillings with a natural-looking solution can give you a confidence boost.
2: Prevent Tooth Sensitivity and Decay
Teeth that have amalgam fillings can become painfully sensitive to hot and cold. In a natural tooth, the outer layer of enamel insulates the tooth and protects it from extreme temperatures. But amalgam fillings are not good insulators, and the sensitive nerve inside the tooth will feel heat and cold through the filling, which causes pain.
Another issue with metal amalgam fillings is that they expand and contract when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Expansion puts pressure on the tooth and can make it chip or crack. And when metal contracts, it can create tiny spaces between the filling and tooth that trap bacteria and food particles, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
3: Strengthen Your Teeth
Amalgam fillings don’t bond to your tooth as well as newer materials like composite resin do. That means they don’t offer much support for the weakened tooth that needed the filling. Replacing the filling with biomimetic materials will help strengthen your tooth and reduce the risk of fracture.
Non-Toxic Amalgam Removal in Prescott, Arizona
If you’re interested in removing your old amalgam fillings, reach out to Prescott Dentistry. We follow a specific protocol to safely remove amalgam fillings and minimize the risk of exposure to mercury. If you have any questions about our process, or would like to set up an appointment, give us a call at 928-445-1660 today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/6/2022). Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash