For many years, there has been a battle raging within the dental community about the safety of amalgam for dental fillings. Your dentist in Toronto can supply you with the much needed information to make an educated decision on this matter.
The question about the safety in amalgam is due to the mercury content in the material used for dental fillings. And since mercury is considered a toxin, the question of safety continues to be hotly discussed.
When you are in your dental office, you should not have any concerns about exposure to mercury itself. It is not something stored on a shelf that could be spilled causing a toxic situation. It is mixed with other material to form the amalgam used for your dental filling.
Composite fillings have become very popular for several reasons. The fact that composite is formulated to more closely match your tooth make it much more pleasing from an aesthetic perspective. This is very important for fillings needed in your smile line.
When considering which material to use for your next filling it is important to note that both amalgam and composite fillings have been deemed safe by the ADA and other dental organizations. There are, however, different positions taken on the strength and durability of composite material vs. amalgam.
Both materials have demonstrated strength, but there is much more history with amalgam. Your dental provider will be able to explain which material would be best for your needs.
Amalgam has been around for over one hundred years and continues to be an effective solution to fill dental cavities. Research continues to determine if the level of mercury that could leech into your system due to an amalgam filling could pose a danger.
Most dental insurance companies recognize composite fillings as a cosmetic procedure, and will downgrade the amount they are willing to cover to the amalgam fee.
One thing is certain … the discussion and research will continue. There are some countries that have banned the use of amalgam due to concern with contaminants and disposal of amalgam. And some dental providers in North America and Canada will no longer place amalgam.
So if you are told that you have a cavity and need a filling, have the discussion of the advantages and detractors of both amalgam and composite with our dental provider so you can make the best decision for you.