Despite the fact that it’s a toxic substance, mercury is still commonly used in lots of dental applications, particularly in metal-amalgam dental fillings. While most dentists have moved on and now use composite, mercury-free fillings, some dentists still place metal-amalgam fillings that contain mercury.
In addition, many older patients may have dental work that includes mercury, such as old metal-amalgam fillings. To protect your health, it may be a good idea to have your old dental work removed and replaced with metal-free fillings. In this blog from Moonlight Beach Dental, we’ll discuss what you should know about mercury and its potentially-harmful effects.
Mercury is toxic to humans, and should be avoided when possible. The American Dental Association’s official stance is that mercury is not harmful in dental work. However, many dentists and other dental organizations disagree. In fact, the European Union recently approved a partial ban on mercury-containing amalgam fillings for children and pregnant/breastfeeding women.
The problem is that, over time, metal amalgam fillings may release small amounts of mercury into your body. One study has shown that these fillings could cause brain damage, and mercury in dental work could also contribute to mercury poisoning.
Over time, mercury poisoning can cause issues like organ damage, headaches, nerve damage, and more. While mercury from fillings alone is not likely to cause mercury poisoning, it can be a contributing factor.
Because it’s useful! Just like other harmful substances like asbestos, mercury has some really unique and useful properties for dental work. Unlike most metals, it’s liquid at room temperature. And when mixed with tin, copper, and silver powder to create metal amalgam, it helps create a very strong, durable, and long-lasting dental filling.
And in the past, there really weren’t any other alternatives to metal amalgam’s durability, longevity, and strength. But today, metal-free composite fillings offer similar performance, and are 100% free of toxic chemicals, so they’re a much better choice.
At Moonlight Beach Dental, Dr. Nicole Vane exclusively provides nontoxic, mercury-free composite fillings. These fillings are free of heavy metals, and they look and feel just like a natural part of your tooth. If you think you have a cavity, we’re here to help.
We also can help you remove old metal amalgam dental work. Dr. Vane has extensive training in SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique). With her skills and our advanced equipment, we can safely remove metal-amalgam fillings and replace them with safe, effective, and durable mercury-free fillings.
Whether you’ve got a cavity or you need your old metal-amalgam fillings removed, Dr. Vane and the team at Moonlight Beach Dental are here to help. We specialize in holistic dentistry, and can provide you with the care you need for a healthy mouth and a healthy lifestyle. Contact us online or give us a call at (760) 417-6768 to schedule an appointment in Encinitas.
