U.S. Backs Safety of Silver Fillings Reports Monmouth County, NJ, Michael Bixby, DMD

PR Log (Press Release) – Feb 25, 2008 – The American Dental Association announced last month that mercury-silver (amalgam) dental fillings were banned, due to feared health risks, in Sweden and Norway.

But the U.S. government and  local ADA consider amalgam fillings to be safe.  Yet some insurance companies have begun reimbursing patients for alternatives to mercury-silver fillings.

If you are concerned about such health risks, one alternative is a resin or composite filling. Since these fillings are tooth colored, some insurance companies determined their purpose is cosmetic and therefore not covered under their policies. Decay around a resin filling can be easily seen in comparison to decay located between a black mercury filling and white enamel. Also, resin fillings are more technique-sensitive and time consuming to bond into place.

Porcelain inlays are another alternative to fillings. The porcelain material is harder than the resin and therefore should last longer than the resin filling. They are bonded into place and help to reinforce the strength of the tooth.

If you have mercury-silver or amalgam fillings in your mouth the chances are you will be fine. It is considered unethical for a dentist to advise a patient to have mercury fillings removed for health reasons. If a patient wants to have them removed for their own concerns or even for cosmetic reasons it is OK.

If you have questions concerning mercury fillings you should ask your dentist.