When Should Dental Amalgams Be Removed?

We have written extensively about the dangers inherent in silver fillings (dental amalgam) which are prepared with liquid mercury. Liquid mercury is extremely harmful to our health and well-being, which is why we practice mercury-free dentistry at Assure A Smile, including safe mercury filling removal. We replace these silver fillings with one of a number of different mercury-free dental implants which are biocompatible, extremely durable, and have no history of adverse health effects.
Concerns about mercury are not the only reasons to consider removing dental amalgams. You should schedule an appointment with a holistic dentist to discuss having your dental amalgam removed and replaced if any of the following apply to you:

• You’ve had the filling for 20 years or more. The reason you have silver fillings in the first place is because you needed to replace tooth structure that you had lost to decay. But the passage of time, constant eating and drinking, and other factors such as teeth grinding can cause the fillings themselves to decay. If one or more of your fillings has been there for 20 years or more, you should have them replaced before the deterioration becomes painful and troublesome, requiring a more involved procedure than filling replacement.
• Unseen tooth decay. When a silver filling deteriorates, cracks, or falls out, it can leave gaps between the tooth and the filling. Such gaps are irresistible entryways for the bacteria that leads to tooth decay. Food particles can get lodged between the tooth and the filling and can be difficult if not impossible to dislodge with brushing and flossing. This can lead to bacteria-driven decay developing along the edge of the filling or underneath it. Left undiagnosed or untreated, this decay can go so deep as to require a root canal or cause the loss of the tooth altogether.
• Gum inflammation. When silver fillings deteriorate, some of the mercury contained in the amalgam can leak and reach the gums. Studies have shown that such leakage can lead to gum inflammation and periodontal disease.
• Unfortunately, many people wait until their filling is causing them pain before contacting a dentist about having the filling removed and replaced. If you are experiencing pain on or around a filling, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Assure A Smile: Miami Holistic and Mercury-Free Dentistry
At Assure A Smile, we safely and carefully remove mercury-filled dental amalgam and replace them with healthier bio-compatible ceramic implants which look more natural and avoid the health problems caused by mercury fillings.
To schedule safe mercury filling removal and replacement in Miami, click here to schedule an appointment online or you may contact us via phone at (305) 274-0047. We welcome the opportunity to help you improve your oral health as well as your overall well-being.