Fillings are a common dental procedure that many patients have to undergo, sometimes multiple times. You probably go on your day after your dentist puts a filling in your tooth and don’t give it much thought. Probably you are concerned about the hidden truth of mercury in your silver fillings, also known as dental amalgam.
Currently, millions of amalgam dental fillings are in use. And they are also used in dental schools, laboratories, and hospitals all over the world. They are considered safe and stable. But there are still ongoing debates about the use of mercury in your silver fillings.
What is a silver filling?
Dental amalgam, also known as silver filling material, is a combination of mercury and metal alloys. It is used to fill a hole in a tooth after a dentist removes decay. Amalgam is usually composed of Mercury (50%), Silver (35%), Tin (13%), Copper (2%), and other trace metals such as Zinc. Silver fillings were first mentioned in a Tang Dynasty medical text by Su Kung in 659 AD. And they first appeared in Germany around 1528. Because of its low cost, ease of use, strength, and durability, amalgam became the preferred dental restorative material in the 1800s. But, concerns over the toxicity of mercury have made its use more controversial.
What Is Mercury in your silver fillings And Why Is It So Toxic?
Mercury is an element with the symbol Hg and the atomic number 80. (which is a pretty high number). It is commonly known as quicksilver. Mercury in your silver fillings is very toxic. According to a study, mercury is continuously released from dental amalgam and ingested by a variety of tissues in the body.
However, the real risk of mercury in your silver fillings is its density. The density of mercury is 13.5 times that of water. It is extremely toxic in both liquid and gas forms. Mercury can accumulate in the body after being inhaled or ingested, slowly weakening the membranes of vital organs such as the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Its effects range from eye irritation and vomiting to DNA and chromosomal injury. We can find mercury naturally in the environment. And it is known as “Cinnabar” around the world. While it has always been released into the environment by natural weathering, the recent increase in its global quantity has many people worried. Because it is not naturally present in food, there is a worry that we might be ingesting dangerous amounts of it as a part of the natural food chain, with seafood being the main source of concern.
The Environmental Effects of Mercury in your silver fillings
We don’t know if silver fillings are toxic to humans. But we do know it’s harmful to the environment and can cause just as much or more damage indirectly as it does directly.
During the early 2000s, the use of metal amalgam fillings in dentistry produced 40 to 50 tons of mercury per year. How dangerous is this level of mercury? An annual deposition of only 12.5 micrograms per year can contaminate a square meter of a freshwater lake, make the lake’s fish toxic to eat.
40 tons of mercury is equal to 36,287,389—36 million grams!—enough mercury to contaminate almost 3 trillion square meters of freshwater, or more than 700 million acres, or 25 times the surface area of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron combined.
Clearly, the possible environmental risk of silver fillings is huge, which is one of the main reasons they are banned in other countries. This is also why we should stop using them.
ARE MERCURY silver fillings BAD FOR YOU?
Mercury is our planet’s most toxic, non-radioactive naturally occurring substance.
There is no such thing as a mercury standard that is considered secure. Mercury is one of the most toxic neurotoxins, capable of destroying brain tissue.
Toxic mercury vapor is continuously released from silver fillings, which is a scientific reality. This causes an accumulation in the body over time. And the body loses its ability to remove mercury as a result of the overload.
Excessive mercury toxicity has been linked to:
- Tremors
- Reduced vision and hearing
- Paralysis
- Insomnia
- Emotional instability
- Birth defects
- Developmental delays in children
What Other Problems Do Silver Mercury Fillings Have Besides Toxicity?
Aside from toxicity, there are a few lesser-known disadvantages of silver fillings:
1. Amalgams break teeth
A major issue with silver fillings is that they significantly damage teeth. It is common for amalgam-filled teeth to develop structural cracks next to the fillings after years of wear. We see many cases of silver fillings that have fractured teeth every day. Repairing the damage often necessitates major restorative procedures such as crowning and root canal therapy, or implant replacement if the tooth is unrepairable.
2. Silver fillings require more tooth removal
Amalgam does not bond to the tooth structure and must have sufficient bulk to be retained to prevent fracture. As a result, it is always important to sacrifice healthy tooth structure in order to provide retention as well as bulk for silver fillings. This irreversibly weakens and damages the tooth, leaving it more vulnerable to future problems.
3. Silver fillings leak, causing recurrent decay
Because silver fillings are not bonded to the tooth structure, a microscopic distance occurs between the filling and the tooth. This allows bacteria and nutrients to enter the inside of the tooth and begin the decay process, causing significant damage over time. There is decay under the majority of the silver fillings.
4. Amalgam is ugly
Nobody wants a black tooth, which is just what amalgam is. Not only do silver fillings make the surrounding tooth look grey, but when the metal corrodes, they might also stain or tattoo the remaining tooth structure.
Should I get my existing silver fillings removed?
It is entirely up to you if you want to replace or keep your amalgam filling.
Thankfully, silver fillings are not dangerous. They aren’t causing any hidden harm to the body. So you don’t have to feel compelled to replace your filling in order to protect your overall wellbeing. Your doctor can also help protect your teeth by carefully watching your amalgam filling for signs of failure. If you visit your doctor on a daily basis for preventive care, they will be able to detect the symptoms of a failing filling earlier. Hence, early detection of a problem can mean the difference between a root canal and a simple filling replacement.
If the thought of mercury in your amalgam filling bothers you, or if you’re concerned that the metal may damage your tooth, it’s fine to replace it! Only keep in mind that doing so would necessarily require the removal of some healthy tooth structure, resulting in a slightly bigger filling than before. For others, the peace of mind and improved appearance provided by such filling options are simply worth it. At the end of the day, it’s your decision. So go for the one that makes you feel comfortable.
Silver fillings are not without flaws. They can do damage to your tooth and cause it to stand out in your mouth. But they are a safe, cheap, and long-lasting filling. They are an ideal treatment choice for many people. We do, however, want you to be sure that your dental restorations are protecting your oral and general health.
The Bottom Line
If you are concerned with silver fillings, it is important to communicate openly with your dentist and, if possible, discuss alternatives.
