Amalgam Fillings

What is an amalgam filling made of?

Dental amalgam is an alloy of silver, tin, copper and mercury.

Should i have my amalgam fillings replaced?

Dentists replace amalgam fillings for a variety of reasons including recurring decay, fracture, endodontic treatment and appearance.
If you seek replacement of quite satisfactory amalgam fillings for other reasons, such as a concern about the effects of mercury, you may create problems that otherwise would not have occurred, such as: possible damage to or weakening of teeth, sensitivity or pain after the filling and financial problems.

Are amalgam fillings dangerouse?

The Australian Dental Association policy remains, on the basis of the research available, that the use of dental amalgam produces no harmful effects.
There has been much publicity regarding the safety of dental amalgam. The World Health Organisation and the International Dental Federation have released a joint statement confirming the safety of dental amalgam as a filling material.
The Association believes there is no positive gain in having dental amalgam fillings replaced with other materials, other than for aesthetic reasons.

 

 

 

*answers sourced from the ADA.