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Are Mercury Fillings Dangerous?

Are Mercury Fillings Dangerous?

Fillings using mercury were once very common, but are now being superseded by more modern, tooth coloured substances.The question over their safety has been long debated. In this blog we’ll dispel some myths and offer some hard cold facts.

So What Are Silver Fillings?

Although the name implies that the filling is made out of silver, in reality it only has about 32% of this material. The majority of a silver filling (50%) is actually mercury. Your filling also has trace amounts of tin, copper, and zinc.

When mixed together, these components create a hard and durable material called amalgam. Amalgam fillings are widely used because they are strong and so provide durable chewing surfaces. They are less expensive to place than other types of fillings and they usually last longer.

What Are The Health Effects Of Mercury Exposure?

Mercury is toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. It can influence the nervous, digestive, and immune systems as well as the lungs and kidneys. This can result in neurological and behavioural disorders with symptoms including tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, and cognitive as well as motor dysfunction. Kidney effects have also been reported, ranging from increased protein in the urine to kidney failure.

Has Mercury Been Banned In Certain Countries?

Ireland, Finland and Slovakia have announced a timetable that will see amalgam banned over the next few years. They join Sweden and Norway in banning amalgam. Dentists in all the 28 member states of the European Union are forbidden from using the material in pregnant and breastfeeding women, and in children under the age of 15.

What Are Some Other Options To Mercury Fillings?

In recent decades, composite filling materials have become available; these contain quartz or glass in resin (plastic). Composite fillings have cosmetic advantages over amalgam fillings because they mimic the color of natural teeth. They are often the choice for fillings in or near the front of the mouth because they are less visible than amalgam fillings. They are suitable for tooth surfaces which don't experience a lot of pressure or friction, for example, along the sides of teeth or below the gum line. Some dental practitioners offer these fillings to their patients because they do not contain mercury.

Conclusion

In the 1990s, several governments evaluated the effects of dental amalgam and concluded that the most likely health effects would be due to hypersensitivity or allergy. Teeth with amalgam restorations have a low incidence of cusp fracture and recurrent decay. Amalgam restorations have been shown to last longer than composite restorations and can now be bonded to teeth. In addition, amalgam restorations can often be repaired.

The main exposure to mercury from dental amalgam occurs during placement or removal of restoration in the tooth. Once the reaction is complete less amount of mercury is released, and that is far below the current health standard. Though amalgam is capable of producing delayed hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals, if the recommended mercury hygiene procedures are followed the risks of adverse health effects could be minimized.

If you have any concerns about your amalgam fillings please call our clinic on (03) 9817 7144 today.

For all fillings near Hawthorn, Kew, Deepdene, Camberwell, Surrey Hills, Mont Albert and Surrey H