The Dangers of Mercury Amalgam Fillings

Houston, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Spring, and Conroe, Texas

Many dentists choose to downplay the content of mercury in metal amalgam dental fillings. However, it is possible for that mercury to leak into the surrounding areas, potentially causing health problems.

Potential Hazards of Mercury Amalgam Fillings

While the amount of mercury found in metal amalgam fillings is very small, the fact is that a very small amount of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning, which can result in:

  • High blood pressure
  • Hair loss
  • Tooth loss

Beyond the danger of direct prolonged contact with mercury, metal dental restorations have other negative side effects. Metal is highly reactive chemically to extreme temperatures and is prone to expanding in the cold and contracting in the heat. This means that by eating and drinking hot or cold foods, your metal fillings are exposed to constant density change. Over time, this will create pressure against your teeth, weakening them and making them prone to breaking. This can lead to the necessity for a tooth extraction or nerve treatment, otherwise known as a root canal.

The least dangerous of the negative features of metal amalgam fillings is also the most obvious – they simply look unattractive. The appearance of metal fillings is an indicator of cavities or unhealthy teeth, which also adds the appearance of age to your teeth.

Alternatives to Metal Amalgam Fillings

Fortunately, there are alternatives to metal amalgam fillings which are mercury-free, chemically stable, and virtually invisible when correctly installed. Tooth colored fillings can replace metal amalgam fillings, offering many benefits. Tooth colored fillings can consist of composite or porcelain material and are referred to as “tooth colored” because they come in a variety of white tints.

Porcelain fillings are beneficial because they:

  • Have no mercury
  • Do not expand or contract with cold and heat
  • Are virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding enamel

If you have metal fillings, you can have them replaced with mercury-free dental fixtures immediately. The next time you need a cavity filled or require an inlay or onlay, make sure to let your dentist know you require safe, mercury-free dental fixtures.

To make an appointment for a consultation to find out how to have your metal amalgam fillings replaced, please contact our Houston cosmetic dentistry office today. Woodlands Premier Dentistry serves patients in Houston, The Woodlands, and Spring, Texas.

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