Although the jury is still out where silver amalgam fillings are concerned, Dr. George Sanchez believes that, although mercury, which makes up 50 percent of silver amalgam fillings, is natural, it certainly isn’t healthy.
Mercury is made with copper, tin, silver and of course mercury. Although mercury is approved and deemed safe by the American Dental Association, Dr. George Sanchez, and many other dental professionals across the globe, aren’t convinced.
The Real Problem with Silver Amalgam Fillings
While millions of people have silver amalgam fillings placed, over fifty percent have no idea that their silver amalgam fillings contain mercury. After those patients found out, they wanted to know the possible complications and dangers linked to mercury vapor exposure.
What is Mercury?
Mercury ore comes from the earth and is extremely toxic and poisonous. While a broken thermometer isn’t enough to hurt you, constant exposure to mercury vapor through your old silver amalgam fillings certainly can be.
Mercury has been linked to neurological problems, chronic illness, autoimmune disease, and mental disorders. The vapor is released and increased by habits such as carbonated drink consumption, chewing gum, and tooth grinding.
The Scary Part about Silver Amalgam Fillings
Although the amounts of mercury vapor absorbed vary on a daily basis, from one to 3 micrograms on the low end, some studies indicate as high as 27 micrograms are being absorbed every 24 hours. If you enjoy the habits mentioned above or deal with tooth grinding, that figure could be higher.
That is terrifying when you consider that three to 69 percent of air quality standards in the workplace translate to that figure. OSHA, the Occupational Safety, and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor consider high levels of mercury vapor unsafe.
Why are Silver Amalgam Restorations Dangerous?
Constantly breathed in and absorbed by your lungs, silver fillings and other types of dental restorations release mercury vapor causing organ complications, especially in the lungs and kidneys.
Dr. George Sanchez has the experience to remove and replace your silver amalgam fillings in a safe environment. Not all dentists are equipment to handle removal and replacement. Without safe removal and replacement protocols in place, both you and the dental team are at risk with unsafe silver amalgam filling removal.
Why Do People Opt for Silver Amalgam Fillings?
Price is the main reason people opt for silver amalgam fillings. Although they may be less expensive to begin with, the health problems that go along with them will cost you in the long run. In addition, people with silver amalgam fillings tend to go longer without repair or removal because they are not in pain, or don’t notice any chips or cracks.
Dr. George will tell you that tooth decay goes undetected under old silver amalgam fillings. There could be some serious cavities under your old fillings. If yours are older than 10 years old, some patients go as long as 25 or 30, call your dentist in Delray Beach. Safely removing your fillings will make you look and feel better.
What Type of Replacements are Available?
Dr. George uses composite resin for dental fillings. Both natural and durable, composite dental fillings are a safe alternative to silver amalgam fillings.
Your Delray Beach dentist also uses ceramic dental materials for dental crowns and inlays and onlays.
If you are curious about silver amalgam filling removal, call or click and schedule an appointment. With natural fillings and other restorations, you will look and feel better.