Removing several old silver filings. Any Dentists out there?

Question

I have many silver fillings from when I was younger, and I would like to have them replaced with the new tooth colored "safer" fillings. However, I have heard conflicting rumors that disturbing the old silver fillings is actually more harmful than having them. Can someone (a Dentist perhaps) shed some light on this for me.

Answer 1

i'm a dentist. amalgam (silver) fillings are made from elemental mercury, and are clinically proven to be very safe. The marine fish you eat contains much more "organic" mercury and those are 10x more toxic! Any dentist(s) who tells you amalgams are not safe and need to be replaced by composite (tooth colored) are just lying and out to make some extra money! That being said, if "esthetics" is a concern and you want to replace your old silver fillings with composite fillings, you can certainly do that. There's nothing unsafe about it. The only concern is, composite fillings are very "technique" sensitive. They require a dry working field and fail much more frequently. They are also more fragile. Therefore, depending on your situation, if composite is contraindicated it might not be the best solution for you.

Answer 2

I'm not a dentist I am studing to be a RDA(registered dental assistant) I am interning and learning a lot at a very well kept office. I do belive it is best to leave the amalgam fillings(silver fillings) in your mouth if there is no micro leackage(bacisly, the filling is fine and its not comming out little by little hints on micro), but I have observed may procedures & I have seen the dentist take out amalgam filling after it has been i a patients mouth for many many year and replaced it with a new composite fillings (filling that is the same color of the tooth), I only think it a bad thing if the filling is being replace way to often!!! You probably don't have any thing to worrie about, but make sure you ask YOUR dentist, & the same one that is going to be in your mouth!!!! Have a great night!!!

Answer 3

If the fillings are in good condition I would not have them removed. The silver fillings have mercury in them which many people consider unsafe. There has been no research indicating the levels of mercury in them is harmful. You can check the ADA website for more information. The release of the mercury from the filling is what can be harmful. If the filing is in the tooth only small amounts of mercury, if any ;are released. The removal of the silver fillings can actually cause the release of the mercury which is worse than having them in there. Again, if they are okay then don't remove them and your dentist should be giving you that advise.

Answer 4

The dentist I used to go to used the silver fillings and now my new dentist is taking them out and using the tooth colored ones. And doing the new fillings that way. Been going to the new dentist since December. So far, so good.

Answer 5

HELLO JACQUELINE,

THERE IS A WAY TO COVER UP THE DARK SILVER COLORED FILLING WITH TOOTH COLORED WHITE FILLINGS.
IF THE ORIGINAL FILLING IS IN GOOD CLINICAL CONDITION, THEN IT CAN HAVE A WHITE FILLING PLACED OVER IT AFTER A VERY SHALLOW PREPARATION IS MADE OVER IT TO RECEIVE A COMPOSITE RESTORATION.
DRILLING OUT A COMPLETE SILVER FILLING IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT COMPLETELY WITH A WHITE FILLING MEANS EXPOSING YOU TO NEEDLESS MERCURY VAPOR AND LEAD DEBRIS.
I WOULD NOT COMPLETELY REMOVE A SILVER FILLING, BUT EXPLAIN THESE FACTS TO MY PATIENTS AND LES THEM MAKE THE DECISION. IT'S CALLED GETTING INFORMED CONSENT.