Mercury-Free Dentistry and Why It's Better for Your Health
Hello, this is Dr. Virginia Ellis at Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp.. Today I'm going to be talking about mercury-free dentistry.
What is mercury-free dentistry, and why are more patients seeking it out?
Mercury-free dentistry involves silver fillings that don't contain mercury. People are seeking silver-free dentistry because they don't want to deal with mercury-containing issues and silver fillings. Additionally, they're dark, and people dislike the colors. You can obviously see them when you have them in your mouth. Aesthetically, they're not pleasing to today's society, and there's an issue for some people who are concerned about mercury-containing fillings.
What are mercury fillings and why are they no longer commonly used?
They're not as commonly used because, firstly, they aren't aesthetically desirable. People don't really want black or silver fillings in their mouths when there's an option to have white fillings that look natural on your teeth and make it look like you don't have any fillings at all. Another reason is that these silver fillings often contain mercury, although it is mixed with other metals. So, it's not pure mercury that you're getting. Concerns about mercury and the better appearance of white fillings make them preferable.
Do all silver fillings contain mercury and should they be replaced?
Silver fillings do contain mercury, but it's not pure mercury. They are a mixture of copper, tin, silver, and mercury, considered an alloy. When you have an alloy, different metals mixed together no longer have the same exact properties, personalities, and effects as each individual component.
Just because a silver filling has mercury in it doesn't mean you're getting pure mercury in your mouth. Should you get them out? It's a personal choice. If you don't like them because of the way they look, that's fine. Some people claim they feel better after removing their mercury fillings. However, the FDA and the ADA have not endorsed removing fillings due to mercury content. There's no substantial research to date saying that it's bad for you. It's really a personal choice as of now.
What are the pros and cons of removing mercury fillings if they are currently causing issues?
If they're causing you issues, get them out. If they're not causing you issues and you're okay with it, you can leave them in. The pro is that you'll have whiter-looking teeth, as they look better. If you dislike having silver fillings due to the silver or mercury issue, you can remove them. The con could be that if you remove the silver filling, you might experience sensitivity. Anytime you touch a tooth, you can cause inflammation that could potentially lead to further treatment like a root canal. Not always, but generally, you're okay. It could just cause inflammation and temporary pain.
What are the health risks or symptoms of mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings?
It has not been definitively established by the ADA and the FDA that silver fillings are bad for your health. They're just not desired by people because there are other white options.
What does the mercury filling removal process involve and is it painful?
The removal of mercury fillings is not painful. We often use what's called a rubber dam. It goes in your mouth like a surgical drape around your tooth and isolates everything. We numb you up, and it's a fairly simple process.
When did dentists stop using mercury fillings in general practice?
Not all dentists have stopped using mercury or silver fillings. They're still commonly used in many parts of the country. The reason people usually get silver fillings is that they are cheaper. If you're in a situation or a demographic area where white fillings are not affordable for you, then you can opt for silver fillings.
The only downside I've seen with silver fillings long-term, especially in back molars, is that they fill in the cavity void but don't add strength to the teeth. Long term, you wind up getting cracks on the teeth. On many molars, we eventually wind up doing crowns because the teeth crack. With white fillings, because they are bonded, they tie the tooth together, creating cohesion and strength within the tooth, unlike silver fillings. That would be one advantage of a white filling versus a silver filling.
How can patients find a mercury-free dentist or a biologic dentist near them?
Basically, those are just fancy terms. Just call the dental office and ask, "Do you do white fillings? Do you take out silver fillings? Are you mercury-free?" Like me, I'm quote-unquote mercury-free. I do white fillings only because that's what works for me. My patients want that. Just ask them. When we remove them, we do it very carefully. We use a rubber dam, which is actually latex-free. We use high-speed suction, a lot of water, and an isolating device. It works out really well. Just give us a call and ask any questions you have, and we'll be more than happy to answer them for you.
I do white fillings only. I don't use mercury. I'm not 100% against it because not everything is 100% for everybody. It just depends. If you want white fillings or mercury-free dentistry, I do have that here.
If you have any questions, give us a call at (925) 272-2698, or schedule below! Our staff would love to talk with you.