Benefits of Mercury Free Fillings

Mercury Free Fillings Williamsville, NY

Mercury free fillings do not have mercury or any other traces of metal. They are made from highly customizable and more biocompatible composite resin. The material blends in well with the rest of the teeth and provides an excellent option to a silver mercury filling. This article talks about the benefits of mercury free fillings.

The benefits of mercury free fillings

Although the ADA has held the belief that the percentage of mercury in amalgam fillings is safe, dentists are still turning to a less neurotixic substitute called mercury-free fillings (or tooth-colored fillings). The benefits of choosing mercury free fillings include the following.

Aesthetic appeal

Created from metals, the amalgam filling is conspicuous on naturally white teeth. The fillings will stand out when the person speaks or laughs. Tooth-colored fillings are customized to match the shade of the patient’s natural tooth shade, to make the tooth restoration blend in for a smile that is aesthetically appealing.

Strength

Mercury-free fillings are bonded to the tooth structure with adhesive to protect it against leakage and strengthen the tooth.  Dental amalgams do not create the same bond; they only serve as a mechanical barrier against decay. Therefore, over time, the treated tooth may weaken and crack, turning into a liability for long-term oral health.

Better protection

Composite fillings may provide better and lasting protection against bacterial invasion.  Bacteria and food particles cannot easily penetrate the tooth due to the bonding. However, silver amalgam can expand and contract with heat and cold and allow small cracks in the filling or between the material and the tooth structure, which will create a path for bacterial reinvasion. This may lead to the tooth or silver filling cracking and breaking and a worsening of decay.

Conservative procedure

Conservation in dentistry is based on the concept of saving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Amalgam fillings need more removal of the natural tooth structure than composite resin fillings. This means that amalgam is not the ideal choice for patients seeking a conservative way to fill tooth cavities.

A point to consider

Dental amalgams have been used for several decades as tooth fillings, but times have changed and more options are available. Nowadays, patients can choose from materials like resin or porcelain. It is important for patients to stay up to date with the available options. Those who have amalgam fillings can have them changed to tooth-colored, mercury-free fillings. However, it is advisable to consult an experienced and certified dentist for the procedure to reduce the risk of exposure to mercury vapors when the old filling is removed.

The biologic dentist’s choice of using mercury free fillings shows a commitment to conservative dentistry and the connection between the mouth and the body. To learn more about the benefits, book an appointment with the dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://doctormccarthy.com or call Shannon H. McCarthy DDS at (716) 689-4111 for an appointment in our Williamsville office.

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