Should You Replace Metal Dental Fillings?
April 26, 2023 3:35 pm
A dental filling is usually the recommended treatment for tooth decay that cannot be remineralized naturally. Tooth-colored fillings are the most common material used nowadays. In the past, a silver-colored filling material called amalgam was often used due to its affordability and durability. These metal fillings are made from a blend of metals, including liquid mercury and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper.
Are Metal Fillings Safe?
There are several concerns with amalgam fillings in regard to aesthetics and safety. For example, metal fillings don’t blend in with your smile, while fillings made from tooth-colored composite resin do. Additionally, metal fillings contain small amounts of mercury, which is a toxic substance. While metal fillings are generally considered safe by the medical community, many patients and dental professionals don’t want to take any risks. This is especially true since certain patients, like immunocompromised persons and pregnant women, are more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from the possible exposure to mercury vapor released by amalgam fillings.
Serene Dentistry only offers metal-free fillings. If you are self-conscious about your metal fillings or feel worried about how they could affect your health, our team can safely remove your old fillings and replace them with tooth-colored ones!
What’s the Process for Replacing a Filling?
The first step is to remove the original filling completely. If there is decay beneath the old silver filling, we’ll take care of this at the same time. Next, we’ll get your new tooth-colored filling put in. It’s normal to feel some temporary soreness and sensitivity after the procedure, so be careful when chewing hard foods or drinking cold and hot beverages. If your symptoms don’t get better after a few days, please let us know!
Tooth-Colored Fillings in McKinney, TX
Tooth-colored fillings look better than metal dental fillings. They also don’t contain any potentially harmful mercury! If you have old fillings, Dr. Jay and our team will always check them out during your routine checkups and recommend a replacement when they start to wear out. If you have additional questions or are interested in replacing your metal fillings, please contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Categorised in: Restorative Dentistry