The technical name for silver fillings is amalgam fillings. The word amalgam refers to the mixture of some metal with mercury. And while these fillings have a lot of silver in them, they actually have more mercury in them than any other metal.
Some studies conclude that amalgam fillings are perfectly safe. Other studies suggest that during chewing these fillings release small amounts of mercury vapor that are absorbed by the body. Dr. Thomas understands why this may cause people to worry.
Mercury-Free Fillings Offer Many Advantages
There are several advantages mercury-free fillings offer over amalgam:
- Amalgam weakens the tooth while mercury-free (composite) fillings bond with the tooth and restore its strength
- They blend with your teeth because they are white in color
- They are less sensitive to hot and cold
- Less tooth structure needs to be removed when placing composite fillings
To find out more about white fillings, call our office or request an appointment online.