Is It Safe To Have Amalgam Fillings Removed?

Dental fillings treatment is one of the most common procedures in dentistry. Among the dental fillings, amalgam/silver fillings used to be the most popular due to their durability and affordability. However, this has changed over the past few years.

Concerns about the health risk posed by amalgam fillings have been raised. Now people consider removing them and replace them with something that does not pose a health risk. In this blog, we will discuss amalgam fillings in detail and why it is wise to remove them. Talk to us if you are looking for safe mercury filling removal near you in Elliot City, MD.

Why Remove Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings may be called silver fillings, but that does not mean that’s the only material used to make them. Silver fillings contain at least 50 percent mercury and 32 percent silver. There are also some traces of zinc, tin, and copper. When all five are mixed, they make a strong and durable material known as amalgam.

Unfortunately, mercury exposes your body to certain health risks. In fact, some countries such as Norway and Denmark have banned the use of amalgam fillings due to these health risks posed by mercury exposure.

How Mercury Affect Your Overall Health

Typically, people using amalgam fillings swallow between 2-20 micrograms of mercury daily. If you chew chewing gum frequently, you release even larger amounts of mercury to your body. Hot foods and drinks also increase the release of mercury.

With time, the amount of mercury in your body increases, leading to mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning can cause several health problems, including kidney problems, tremors, migraines, headaches, nerve damage, and respiratory failure, among others. A recent study by the University of Washington shows mercury poisoning can also lead to long-term brain damage.

Pregnant ladies are at even larger risk if they use amalgam fillings. Studies show that mercury exposure has shattering effects on the health of unborn children. The good thing is the amalgam fillings can be removed and replaced with something less toxic.

Benefits of Safe Removal of Amalgam Fillings

If you use silver fillings, but you are still not sure if it is the best thing to remove them, here are the benefits that come with the safe removal.

• You get to avoid mercury exposure, which can lead to mercury poisoning, which has devastating health effects.
• It gives you peace of mind since you know your mouth does not contain toxic elements.
• Amalgam fillings are replaced with tooth-colored fillings, which are more aesthetic.
• If you are already experiencing the effects of mercury poisoning, safe removal of amalgam fillings will help reduce the symptoms, and, in time, they will disappear.

Amalgam Fillings Removal Cost

Safe removal of mercury fillings is safe, fast, and painless. However, the cost varies from one dental clinic to another. The cost is affected by a number of factors, including:

• The location of the dental clinic
• The location of the amalgam fillings in your mouth: Front amalgam fillings will be cheaper to remove than ones in the back teeth.
• The size of the amalgam fillings
• The number of teeth that needs safe removal of silver fillings

Averagely, the basic procedure will cost you around $250 per tooth. It might sound like a lot for some people, but you are doing it for the betterment of your overall health, and we all want to remain healthy.

Post Mercury Fillings Removal

After the removal of toxic elements on your teeth, the dentist will restore the functionality of your teeth using another type of dental fillings.

If the removal of the mercury fillings has not left a deep hole, the tooth will be restored with porcelain or composite resin fillings. However, the dentist may have to use a porcelain dental crown if the hole is too deep. The dentist will conduct compatibility tests to choose the approach most suitable for your condition.

Julian Center for Comprehensive Dentistry

Talk to us if you are looking for the safe removal of amalgam fillings in Elliot City, MD, and we will help you. We are passionate about helping patients, and instead of addressing just one issue, we use the holistic approach and treat the whole body. Our services are of high-quality, and you can count on us for sleep apnea treatment, implants, TMJ treatment, and more. Book an appointment now.