With many receiving fillings at some point in their life, some fillings have raised concern as to whether or not they’re good for your health. The fillings in question are called Amalgam fillings, which have been used in the dental industry for over one hundred and fifty years.
Thankfully, we’re going to shed some light on these fillings and answer some questions that many have had regarding the materials used for their creation. With this being said, here’s a look at Amalgam fillings.
What Are Amalgam Fillings?
Amalgam fillings are a combination of properties that are used due to the stress they can endure in the mouth. Such properties used for amalgam fillings are:
- Copper
- Tin
- Mercury
- Silver
- Palladium
- Indium
- Zinc
The main issue people have with Amalgam fillings is the mercury used for filling production. The reason the compund being used is that mercury allows the filling to be pliable when inserted into the tooth. This way the filling can enter every nook and cranny of the tooth so one can continue to drink and chew as they had before the filling was present.
Health Risks of Amalgam Fillings
The health risks of mercury fillings are fairly small due to the small amount used for the filling process. Instances where an alternative filling process are needed would be:
- During prenancy.
- Eating large amounts of seafood.
- High exposure to mercury at work.
In addition to this, dentists are at risk to inhaling mercury vapors… which can result in mercury toxicity if filling procedures are handled carelessly.
Amalgam Alternatives
Thankfuly, there’s plenty of alternatives when it comes to fillings and the compounds used for them. Such other materials used for fillings are:
- Composite resin
- Gold
- Porcelain
No matter where one stands on the Amalgam filling scale, it’s more than likely one can find the filling compound that’s right for their mouth. In addition to helping a smile stay great, fillings allow one to chew and drink propery to even out the stress in a person’s mouth for years to come.
