Mercury Free Dental Fillings

At this office, we only place composite fillings (rather than metal amalgam fillings). Composite resin is very strong, and it looks like natural dentition. The most asked question in our office is, do dentists still use mercury – silver fillings? We chose to stop placing amalgam fillings in 1999 for the following reasons:

1. Amalgams were introduced to dentistry in the 1850’s. In the last 150 years, dental materials and techniques have advanced beyond the need to place this material.
2. Amalgam fillings weaken teeth over time. Expansion and contraction tend to cause fracturing of teeth from the inside and crack formations on the outside.
3. The material typically contains over 50% mercury. Although the American Dental Association has not linked it with any health problems, mercury is considered a toxic material outside the mouth. Mercury vapors continually leak from amalgam fillings and can be readily absorbed through the lungs. While the answers are not clear, we prefer not to place restorations that contain mercury.
4. Over time, amalgam fillings corrode and typically turn the teeth dark gray to black

Your appointment with us will consist of three primary objectives: tooth preparation, application of the mercury-free filling material, and shaping and polishing:

• Tooth Preparation: Our dentists or dental hygienists will prepare the teeth for your filling to be placed. The staff will numb the area surrounding the tooth with a local anesthetic. They will then remove the damaged and decayed portion of the tooth with the use of a drill or dental instrument. We want to ensure the tooth is shaped and cleaned appropriately for the filling to be placed onto the tooth.
• Application of the Mercury-Free Filling Material: Application of the mercury-free filling material will be applied to the tooth in layers and hardened using a special light. This process is repeated until the application is complete.
• Shaping & Polishing: Once the filling material is applied to the tooth, our staff will then shape the tooth to match the contours. The tooth is polished as a finishing to match the color of the natural tooth.

This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on size and location. Patients may feel a slight discomfort or sensitivity but within a few days will subside. We encourage our patients to follow good oral hygiene practices by flossing and brushing their teeth to maintain the mercury-free fillings.