Are amalgam dental fillings safe?

The short answer? Yes, amalgam fillings are generally safe for most people. 

Dental fillings are a commonplace occurrence. You probably either have one or know someone who has one. You may have noticed that some fillings are metallic colored, while others are closer to the natural tooth color. What’s more, is that they used to all be metallic looking. So, what happened?

The first type of filling was called an amalgam filling, which dentists have used for over 150 years. Starting in the 1960’s a new type of filling was invented called composite fillings.

Composite fillings are made of a type of resin that bonds with the tooth and matches its color. These are more common these days.

Amalgam fillings are made of a combination of mercury and other metals. The reason mercury is used is because of its strength. It bonds with the other metal to the tooth tightly. This strength is one reason why they continue to be used to this day.

Really, mercury?

While it might seem scary, most people can tolerate a small amount of elemental mercury. This is not the same as organic mercury, the kind found in fish. Organic mercury is absorbed through the digestive system.  Elemental mercury, on the other hand, is absorbed through your lungs. The type used in amalgam fillings is elemental mercury.

Much of the mercury we absorb can be expelled. However, trace amounts are unable to be removed by the body. This leads to what’s called bioaccumulation. The tiny amount of mercury used in an amalgam filling means that a patient will accumulate some mercury. When a patient bites down on their filling, a small amount of mercury vapor is released, which can be absorbed by the lungs. However, this amount is well below the threshold. 

Studies consistently show that they’re safe.

According to the American Dental Association, “based on available scientific information, amalgam continues to be a safe and effective restorative material.” 

And in 2004, the Life Sciences Research Office conducted a peer-review of literature on amalgam fillings and found this:

“The current data are insufficient to support an association between mercury release from dental amalgam and the various complaints that have been attributed to this restoration material. These complaints are broad and nonspecific compared to the well-defined set of effects that have been documented for occupational and accidental elemental mercury exposures. Individuals with dental amalgam-attributed complaints had neither elevated urinary mercury nor increased prevalence of hypersensitivity to dental amalgam or mercury when compared with controls.”

Who shouldn’t get amalgam fillings?

Here’s a list of people who are more susceptible to mercury, and thus should not receive amalgam fillings:

• Pregnant women
• Women planning on becoming pregnant
• Nursing women
• Children, especially those 6 and younger
• People with impaired kidney function
• People with allergies to mercury

Advantages of Amalgam Fillings

Why then, would we use amalgam fillings over composite fillings? There are quite a few reasons! 

1. They last a long time. Amalgam fillings can generally last up to 10 – 15 years.
2. They bond to teeth better. Sometimes, your teeth may be resistant to bonding with composite fillings. 
3. They’re more durable. Amalgam fillings are more resilient to bite forces and hard foods.

Safety First

We take the safety and long-term health of our patients seriously. At Dr. Swanson’s practice you can be assured that we consider all aspects of a patient before deciding on amalgam fillings. We want you to feel comfortable and secure in knowing your filling is safe and sound.If you have any questions, we would love to address them. Our highly trained dental experts are ready to meet with you to discuss your questions and concerns. Contact us online or give us a call today at (559) 732-4543 to schedule an appointment!