Pros and cons replacing mercury fillings

texas star

Hi I was with a new dentist today and was so happy when i left but he asked why I had so many mercury fillings?Now he's planted the seed I'm thinking about changing them to white.My head is saying if it ain't broke don't fix it and I'm nervous that I could upset one of the nerves in my teeth.Is it a major job to change fillings to white?Am I mad :eek::eek:

ballsymchugh

pros - they look better

cons - possible unnecessary treatment if the existing amalgam fillings are intact and there is no decay, and expense.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

White fillings are more expensive, leak more, are more intollerant of anything but perfect isolation and technique, need to be replaced more often. On a plus side the look good and if done correctly have good longevity.

Silver fillings look bad. They seal well, kill bacteria around them, are tollerant of poor isolation at placement. They improve with time as the margins corrode.

You can do as you please with your teeth. If any of the filling are large then think about inlays, crowns or ceramic as a more durable alternative.

texas star

Thank you the dentist said only the U.K. and Ireland are the only countries in Europe to do these type of fillings now.I got the impression he was saying they are bad for your health?Ill think on it.Thanks you.

EoghanIRL

It's just that amalgams fillings will be phased down but not out in the future. Not because of their risk to patient health but because of their risk to the environment when disposed of.

They still seem to be the material of choice for large fillings in load bearing areas, patients with a high decay rate where you want a predictable result , situations where there is poor moisture control I.e subgingival margins etc..
Amalgams have the disadvantage of being non-conservative of tooth structure, no therapeutic/anti-cariogenic value , unpleasant to look at , harmful to environment etc etc

Advances in composite materials mean that when amalgam is phased down it will be one of the major players. Newer composites have much better properties and if placed properly also have very good and comparable results.