Mercury-Free Dental Fillings

If you have tooth decay or a tooth that is cracked or broken as a result of injury or grinding your teeth, chances are your dentist will recommend getting a dental filling to repair the tooth. Dental fillings are still quite common, and the procedure hasn’t changed all that much over the years:

1. The first step your dentist will perform is to remove the tooth decay (if present), and clean the area to prepare it.
2. Next, the dental filling material is applied in layers.
3. After each layer of dental material is applied, a light beam is used to help the material harden.
4. Finally, your dentist will shape and polish the dental filling material to ensure that it’s comfortable and doesn’t negatively impact how your teeth fit together when you bite down.

Although the procedure involved in creating a dental filling hasn’t changed much over the years, the type of filling material has. At one time, an amalgam was one of the most common types of material used in dental fillings. The amalgam was actually a blend of copper, silver and mercury.

Today, many patients choose the mercury-free fillings, also known as composite fillings. The benefits for these kinds of fillings are both health related and cosmetic. Mercury-free composite fillings cause fewer instances of tooth sensitivity from the temperature of food and drinks for most people.  In addition, the material used for composite fillings improves the strength of your natural tooth better than the amalgam fillings can. The most popular reason for mercury-free fillings is that the composite material is tooth-colored making your dental work unnoticeable when you smile or laugh.

The next time you or your child is due to have a dental filling, ask your dentist for more information about the filling materials available so you can make the best choice for you and your family.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/debate-over-mercury-in-dental-fillings

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