Gentle Dentist: Tooth colored dental fillings: the benefits over silver mercury amalgam fillings.

April 26, 2010 by ·

For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth.   These materials contain about 50% mercury combined with silver and other metals.  The worked well but they are not only ugly and unnatural in appearance, but they have the potential of creating fractures in the teeth cause by the expansion and contraction of the mercury within the filling.  In the past the only other alternative was gold and that was too expensive for most folks.

For about the last 15 years or so there has been an economical way to beautifully restore teeth in the Shelby Township, Sterling Heights area  using tooth-colored resin fillings.  The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix which is like clay as we mold it and shape its surface.  We bond the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light.  This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.

Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Because these fillings bond to the teeth they can remain very small whereas in the past the silver-mercury fillings had to have a large hole drilled to hold the filling in place.  Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings.

Resin restorations are slightly more costly than the amalgam fillings because of the time and expertise required to place them is much greater.  The benefits of increased natural beauty and safety are worth the difference in price.  Insurance usually covers the amount that the silver amalgam filling would cost and you, the patient, are responsible for the difference.  The price range is from $150 to $350 per tooth.

Please call our Shelby Dental office at  (586.247.3500)  The Gentle Dentist to have any questions  you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Antolak, DDS graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality and appropriate cosmetic, sedation and general dentistry in the most comfortable and gentle way possible. Because being a dentist has been a lifelong dream, Dr. Antolak has a passion for the profession. He enjoys helping people feel better about their smiles and therefore their self-image with dental implant and cosmetic dentistry. His Dental Practice is located in Shelby Township, Michigan.  For more information visit The Gentle Dentist.

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Mercury fillings are now said to pose risk for some-FDA revision statement

June 19, 2008 by ·

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently came out with a statement  that claims that the silver/mercury amalgam fillings may be harmful to pregnant women, children, fetuses and people who are sensitive to mercury exposure.  This came out after years of asserting that mercury in fillings was safe.  According to the FDA website Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses.

The FDA also committed to issuing controls on mercury fillings in July 2009.  These controls could include information warnings about the effect of mercury on certain people but bans are unlikely according to Mary Peper Long, FDA spokesperson.
The ADA American dental Association maintains that amalgam is “a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used in teh teeth of more than 100 million Americans”.
We at The Gentle Dentist haven’t used dental amalgam for the past 8 years and have found that the tooth colored composite fillings not only look better, but they also bond the tooth together.  There are alternatives to the mercury fillings. Amalgam has been banned in Sweden for the past couple of years.  These statements and findings validate our decision to not place these fillings in my patients.
What has also concerned me is that OSHA requires that the extra amalgam not used needs to be stored and disposed of using special  containers and hiring hazardous waste companies to remove from the office.  I have had a hard time ethically placing this type of filling in someone’s mouth and attempt to call it safe.
 If you are concerned about the effects of amalgam give us a call at (586)247-3500 to schedule a consultation or email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com.
Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home. His motto is to relax while we take care of your smile. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County Michigan. For more information visit our website at www.thegentledentist.com
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