Are Amalgam Fillings Safe?

If you have experienced tooth sensitivity or toothache along with a hole in the teeth, you are probably suffering from tooth decay. And the cure to this is Dental Fillings.

The two most commonly used methods are

• Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam Fillings were the most popular way of filling cavities. Since it is an age old practice, it is thoroughly researched and is found to be an effective, long-lasting treatment for tooth decay. And even though it contains some mercury, FDA, CDC, WHO has not objected its use as a dental filling, as the quantity is too low to cause any harm to humans.

It is also called “Silver Fillings” as liquid mercury and a metal alloy like silver, tin, copper etc are mixed to fill in the cavities. However there has been a concern about the amount of mercury used in the process. But they are quite safe as the level of mercury is quite low and is unlikely to cause any negative effect. Various benefits of Amalgam Fillings include:

• Inexpensive filling material
• Durable, Age-old Dependable Procedure
• Can be executed in a single sitting
• Quite wear and tear process and resists further decay
• Best for Molars(teeth) that bear the full force of crushing food
• Prevents new decay.
• Composite Fillings

Also known as Tooth Colored or White fillings, uses a mixture of tooth colored materials. It is a self-hardening process and is more popularly used these days to match the color and shade of filling to the existing tooth as in compared to the dark silver coloring in Amalgam Fillings. Other benefits of Composite Filling Include:

• Can be used to restore both front or back teeth
• Low risk of leakage when bonded to enamel
• Corrosion free
• Preserves the natural tooth more as compared to amalgam
• Moderate resistance to breakage and further decay.

Though there are varied filling options, yet the best way to preserve one’s teeth is by brushing them twice a day, flossing them regularly and visiting your Dentist in every six months.