Do you find yourself hanging out at your local coal mine? Do you love to feast on large amounts of shark or swordfish? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions you may be at risk for mercury poisoning. However, if you’re consumed with worry that those little silver fillings in the back of your mouth are poisoning you, just relax and get back to your fish fest; your fillings are harmless.

silver fillings dentist reviewMyth: All silver amalgam fillings should be replaced for fear of mercury poisoning.

Fact: There are many things that may cause mercury poisoning, but according to the American Dental Association, silver amalgam fillings ain’t one of ‘em.

Like most controversial topics, there are two sides to this story. Some dentists believe the mercury from silver amalgam fillings can leak out of the filling and into your body causing health problems. If you search youtube you’ll find there’s no shortage of dentists (or actors who play one on TV) trying to convince you that silver amalgam fillings are harmful and need to be replaced. The ADA, the watchdog of dental practices, is in agreement with most major health agencies and scientific bodies that silver amalgam is safe and reliable. The ADA states, “…the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth”. In addition, research has failed to show any link between amalgam restoration and health problems.

Of course, there will likely come a time when an amalgam filling needs to be replaced due to it being old and cracked or worn. When that day arrives, you’ll want to find a well reviewed dentist who makes certain to use safe practices when replacing these fillings. Dr. Eccles, located in Livermore, California, is one of many dentists who specialize in health-centered dentistry.

Be sure to listen with a cautious ear when a dentist urges you to replace your silver fillings because they are a health risk. If the fillings are still in good condition, it’s quite possible it’s not your fillings that need replacing, but your dentist’s BMW.

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14 Responses to “Are Silver Amalgam Fillings Hazardous to my Health?”

  1. Carla Fiscina Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 3:26 am

    I am not a big specialist, but in order to avoid controversially harmful effects of silver amalgam it is possible to use any other type of fillings, like white composite fillings or something else, am I wrong?
  2. Jenna Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    Yes, dentists can use various types of fillings. The controversy lies in whether they should remove old silver fillings that are still in good working condition. Thanks for your comment!
  3. Dentists in Glendale Ca Says:
    October 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    Hello
    This Is Dr.Ligaya,

    The first trick to finding a good dentist to check a list of names compiled, too. You can talk to this list, friends and family to go to the dentist, or contact the Family Dental Association dentists in your area to find.

    Thanking you……..
  4. angela Says:
    October 21st, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    While Amalgam fillings are shown not to hurt people who have them…what are your comments about the growing research linking mercury to autism in children. While most of the research discusses immunizations only…there is in fact a lot of controversy about those fillings that you say are safe. How on earth can ANY amount of mercury placed directly into your mouth be safe? I sat in on a presentation a few months ago at my university. The professor showed us a 30 year old filling that was STILL giving off mercury vapors! It seems strange for any medical professional to hint “well mercury is already all around us in America…what else can this little bit hurt?” I’d suggest looking into the increased number of autistic children! As an Early Childhood Education Specialist…I can’t believe that anyone would take a side on this issue as a professional when the research is so blatantly biased thus far. I’d suggest to anyone that they do tons of their own research rather than reading one article and relaxing with a sigh of relief. For every person willing to say ‘yeah amalgam fillings are safe” there are twice as many who are willing to say “I’m not so sure they are but the proof is still yet to be solidified”
  5. Jenna Says:
    October 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    Angela, I agree, one should always do their own research on such topics. I’d like for one of our dentists to comment on the average age that children have their first filling in relation to the average age that autism is diagnosed. As far as I know, children are usually diagnosed with autism at early ages, sometimes years earlier than they would have their first fillings, making it difficult to link the two. Again, I’d be interested to hear the expert’s take on this issue. Thanks for your comment!
  6. Dorothee Krien Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Here are some links that show the dangers of amalgam and other forms of mercury. Increasing levels of electromagnetic fields add to the health risks:

    http://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/iuk/live/forschung/publikationen/Mutter_Autism_NEL.pdf

    http://www.nel.edu/pdf_/25_5/NEL240504R01_Mutter_.pdf
    Toxicity, Mercury
    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/819872-overview
    Mercury: a common cause of chronic conditions related to intestinal dysfunction such as ulcerative colitis, IBS, Chron’s, psoriasis, food allergies, arthritis, and autoimmune disease; and treatments that improve these conditions. B Windham (Ed)
    http://www.flcv.com/leakyghg.html

    Neurological Effects of Mercury Exposure
    The increase in Alzheimer’s has been over 300% while the increase in Parkinson’s and … along with leading to decreased levels of glutathione peroxidation and … effect of reducing the level of posterior pituitary hormone(oxytocin). …
    http://www.flcv.com/neurohg.html
    http://www.flcv.com/kidshg.html

    Neurological and Immune Reactive Conditions Affecting Kids: The mercury connection to neurological pervasive developmental disorders(autism, schizophrenia, dyslexia, ADD, childhood depression, learning disabilities, OCD, etc.) and developmental immune conditions(eczema, asthma, and allergies) Bernard Windham(Ed)
    Mercury Exposure Levels from Amalgam Dental Fillings …
    Mercury and aspartame have been found to be causes of MS, …… Aug, 1964; & Lorscheider F, Vimy M. Mercury and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. …
    http://www.flcv.com/amalg6.html -

    http://www.ninastoutwellness.com/page/992164
    Leading Mercury Scientist, Dr. Haley, Refutes ADA in Congres
    Mercury release from dental amalgam restorations after magnetic resonance imaging and following mobile phone use
    Pak J Biol Sci. 2008 Apr 15;11(8):1142-6.
    Mercury release from dental amalgam restorations after magnetic resonance imaging and following mobile phone use.
    Mortazavi SM, Daiee E, Yazdi A, Khiabani K, Kavousi A, Vazirinejad R, Behnejad B, Ghasemi M, Mood MB.

    Department of Medical Physics, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

    In the 1st phase of this study, thirty patients were investigated. Five milliliter stimulated saliva was collected just before and after MRI. The magnetic flux density was 0.23 T and the duration of exposure of patients to magnetic field was 30 minutes. In the 2nd phase, fourteen female healthy University students who had not used mobile phones before the study and did not have any previous amalgam restorations were investigated. Dental amalgam restoration was performed for all 14 students. Their urine samples were collected before amalgam restoration and at days 1, 2, 3 and 4 after restoration. The mean +/- SD saliva Hg concentrations of the patients before and after MRI were 8.6 +/- 3.0 and 11.3 +/- 5.3 microg L(-1), respectively (p < 0.01). A statistical significant (p < 0.05) higher concentration was observed in the students used mobile phone. The mean +/- SE urinary Hg concentrations of the students who used mobile phones were 2.43 +/- 0.25, 2.71 +/- 0.27, 3.79 +/- 0.25, 4.8 +/- 0.27 and 4.5 +/- 0.32 microg L(-1) before the amalgam restoration and at days 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Whereas the respective Hg concentrations in the controls, were 2.07 +/- 0.22, 2.34 +/- 0.30, 2.51 +/- 0.25, 2.66 +/- 0.24 and 2.76 +/- 0.32 microg L(-1). It appears that MRI and microwave radiation emitted from mobile phones significantly release mercury from dental amalgam restoration. Further research is needed to clarify whether other common sources of electromagnetic field exposure may cause alterations in dental amalgam and accelerate the release of mercury.

    PMID: 18819554 [PubMed - in process]

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18819554?dopt=AbstractPlus
  7. DDS Orange Says:
    May 7th, 2010 at 10:00 am

    I agree that people will view the issue of amalgam safety differently, so it would be better if a patient asks a dentist for alternative fillings, such as porcelain fillings, dental sealants or crowns, in order to avoid controversy.
  8. Emergency Dental Says:
    May 9th, 2010 at 2:59 am

    Despite numerous studies that show that dental amalgam fillings are safe, the controversy regarding mercury still exists. There are cases when dental amalgam would be the better option but had to use composite due to patient preference and opinion.
  9. Taajah Says:
    May 12th, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    Amalgams are dangerous! They almost killed my son. Since then, I have personally seen the results of many people who have been poisoned by silver fillings. The FDA and the ADA refuses to pay attention, because of financial interests. As usual, American doctors are behind the times.

    Same issue with lead. In 1904, Australian doctors were treating their patients for lead poisoning. In the 1920's, 10 countries had already banned lead! The grand old United States of America waited until 1978 and watched thousand and thousand and thousands of American children get lead poisoned.

    Read my son's story. If you want to get to the truth, contact me!
    http://www.kjsstory.com
  10. Dr. V.R. Says:
    May 26th, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    I have personally had all my old amalgams removed but NOT because of the vapour issue. They were just really ugly! We need to differentiate between overall mercury load from all contributing factors versus the vapour from the dental amalgam.

    To say amalgams almost killed your son without giving the background is very inflammatory. I'm sure you would like people to visit your website but give reasonable information within your comments above.

    Many dental offices simply do not place amalgams anymore and judiciously replace them with other materials. The best of the best today are the pressed ceramic materials used with the Cerec or E4D machines. These materials are some of the best re biocompatability, thermocompatability and relevant wear statistics when compared to our natural enamel.

    The basic fillings today are white fillings and these may last four to five years or more depending on your cleaning, mastication, placement technique and stress/grinding/clenching issues.

    I personally ask my patients if they want their amalgams removed, give them all the relevant information and get their consent before any treatment is completed. I respect their thoughts and try to give my informed professional opinion based on multiple research articles.

    Thanks!
  11. dentist vaughan Says:
    June 27th, 2010 at 4:18 am

    There is much controversy over mercury in dental amalgam. Studies fail to show that there is any effect on health.
  12. Downey Dentist Says:
    July 8th, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    We have not used amalgam (silver fillings) in our office for over 15 years. Even though we do not use them I would not want them banned.
  13. nunner84 Says:
    July 27th, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Check out this video on the Dangers of Mercury Based Amalgam Fillings and How to Remove Them!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kx3rqjsO9k
  14. Dentists Torrance Says:
    July 30th, 2010 at 9:22 am

    I think that the controversy of amalgams is far from over. However, I do prefer porcelain fillings than mercury.

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