For the longest time, dental amalgam has been one of the most common materials for dental fillings. Many patients go for amalgam fillings because they have been in use for more than a century, and they have proven to be quite effective as a filling material. The fact that it’s also the cheapest available
cosmetic filling material out there makes it even more popular among patients who want to do something about their cavities.
Dental amalgam, however, is currently under a lot of scrutiny because of studies claiming that it poses significant health risks to millions of people around the world who have them.
It’s all about the mercury
Dental amalgam consists of a combination of metals. Copper, tin, silver, palladium, indium, zinc, and mercury typically find their way into every amalgam filling. It’s mercury that is causing much concern among dental professionals and patients alike.
As we’ve all learned since those chemistry classes in school, mercury is a highly toxic element, so it’s but natural for people to be alarmed about having something that dangerous inside their mouth at all times. The fact that amalgam fillings typically contain about 50% mercury doesn’t help.
Much of the danger that surrounds dental amalgam fillings revolves around the idea that the chewing action of a person with amalgam fillings releases mercury vapor into his or her body. In effect, when you’re chewing with amalgam fillings inside your mouth, you are gradually poisoning yourself.
If the Food and Drug Administration or FDA is to be believed, then amalgam fillings are safe for adults and children aged 6 and above. Still, many groups oppose the FDA’s opinion and have asked the agency to reconsider its position. To this day, the debate about the safety or dangers of amalgam fillings continues.
Alternatives to amalgam fillings
The question of whether or not mercury-laden amalgam fillings are dangerous has yet to be resolved. And if you’re inclined to believe that dental amalgam is indeed on the dangerous side of things, then try to take a look at other materials that have been making waves in the dental world these days.
Composite resin is quite popular among patients who want their dental fillings to match the color of their teeth. Made of a plastic and fine glass mixture, composite resin fillings are commonly used for front teeth, inlays, and other visible parts of teeth. Composite fillings bond directly with the tooth and last approximately five years.
A ceramic filling is also tooth-colored, but it’s a lot more expensive than composite fillings. Dentists typically use them for inlays and onlays, crowns, veneers, implants, and orthodontic brackets. Its lifespan is pegged at around seven years.
Glass ionomer fillings are made of acrylic and fluoroaluminosilicate. Commonly used for fillings in young children, glass ionomer fillings are also popular for fillings right below the gum line. While its cost and lifespan are comparable to composite resin, a glass ionomer filling is more prone to wear and fracturing. One feature that makes it unique is the way it releases fluoride, which is good for preventing tooth decay.
Cast gold may not be the material for people who want fillings that match their teeth, but it has so many things going for it. For one, cast gold fillings easily withstand the force of chewing better than most other filling materials. For another, gold does not corrode. Gold alloy fillings also last approximately 15 years.
Dental amalgam may be more affordable, but if you want to stay on the safe side while its safety is being widely contested, check out the alternatives.