NOTE: This page is not meant to substitute for our personal response to your questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to come to us when you need more information. We look forward to knowing you as friends as well as patients.
Can a hazardous material be stored in your mouth?
We have not used silver mercury in over 15 years because it is considered a hazardous material. |
We believe in conservative, lasting dentistry. Many people still have amalgam fillings, often called silver or mercury fillings, from years past. These fillings are not esthetically pleasing because they darken and corrode over time.
 We also know that by unavoidable design, amalgam fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Because they contain about 50 percent mercury, amalgam fillings expand and contract in response to temperature changes. Over time, this causes damage, such as fractures, to teeth from the inside out. Two potential problems may result. Decay beneath the crown can form, and the patient may need a root canal to save the tooth. If the tooth cracks or breaks from these fractures, a full crown restoration is the only solution. New innovations in bonding technology allow us to create porcelain onlays and tooth-colored restorations (resin) that are strong, natural-looking, and beautiful.
Amalgams/Mercury Fillings - Why?
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