The amalgam filling is also known as the mercury filling and silver filling. This is an important part of the dental care for people who have issues with broken teeth or poor dental health. For a long time, this has been used in the dental care of patients. But, as it has mercury, which is a harmful element, it is not preferred in modern dental practices. Now, the more challenging thing is amalgam removal in London from the teeth.
In this comprehensive guide, we will share some crucial facts about the amalgam filling, including what it is, why to use it, whether it is safe, when to replace the fillings, the essential alternatives and the cost of the treatment.
What is an amalgam filling?
The amalgam filling is made with silver, mercury, zinc and copper. The teeth that have cavities are filled with a mixture of these components and create a metallic look. As the main component of these fillings is mercury, it is now banned in most of the European countries. But there are mercury removal dentists who still use these types of fillings in other parts of the country.
Why use the amalgam filling?
There are many alternatives to the amalgam fillings used in the market, but they fell back once the amalgam came into the market. The tooth-coloured fillings and the gold fillings are the most common alternatives. But they have issues with the durability and the high expenses.
The gold fillings are durable but highly expensive, while the tooth-coloured fillings are quite affordable but less durable. So, the amalgam filling got its popularity in the market. This is durable and comes with an affordable budget.
But using amalgam fillings in the teeth is causing several health risks. So, the dentists and the healthcare providers now do not prefer these fillings on the teeth because they do not give you the natural look.
Are the amalgam fillings safe?
The safety of the amalgam fillings is now in question. Some established research states that the mercury present in the amalgam is harmful to our health and increases the mercury level in our blood. But they also have stated that mercury level is not so harmful for serious health issues.
But some people should avoid these fillings, such as children, pregnant women and people with neurological issues. Most of the studies say that getting amalgam fillings under 15 can cause serious health risks. And the removal of these fillings also causes more risks than applying them.
So, it is recommended that, if you do not have an amalgam filling on your teeth, you can avoid it. But, if you already have this, try not to remove or replace the fillings from your teeth, which may cause health issues.
When should the amalgam fillings be replaced?
The amalgam fillings generally last for 15 years under normal conditions. But if you have habits like clenching or grinding your teeth, it may last for less than 15 years. And certain reasons may lead to less durability and emergency replacement. If you have new cavities under the filling, the filling can be damaged, requiring replacement or removal.
The removal or replacement of the amalgam filling may cause risks to the teeth. The professionals will guide you in this job. If your filling is in good condition, it should not be removed or replaced. In the case of tooth filling removal, the dentist will fill your teeth with the tooth-coloured filling.
Are the old amalgam fillings dangerous to the teeth?
Whether the amalgam fillings are harmful to your health is not so clear. But the mercury in the filling definitely affects the health. Although the amount of mercury is not severely dangerous for health, it might cause high risks for special individuals such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, children or patients with kidney issues. If you are one of these patients and considering this filling as harmful for you, you can go for the other alternatives.
What are the alternatives to amalgam fillings?
If you consider the amalgam filling as one of the harmful options, you can also try the other alternatives to the amalgam fillings. Here are the essential alternatives to the amalgam fillings and their explanations. Searches like ‘mercury removal dentist near me’ can help you to choose the suitable options for your teeth. These are:
White filling
This is one of the most common materials used in dental fillings. These fillings are made of tooth-coloured resin or porcelain materials. They make the teeth look like natural teeth, but the durability is less than that of the amalgam filling.
Dental inlays/dental onlays
These work the same as the dental fillings but are used for the larger cavities. In this process, a solid and durable material is attached to the cavities that lasts for a longer time with high protection against decay.
Dental crowns
These are one type of indirect filling treatment that is similar to the inlays and onlays. The dental crowns are placed on the surface of the teeth to provide better protection. The dentists recommend this if you have more severe dental issues.
Tooth extractions
The tooth extractions are the final procedure where the dentist extracts your decayed tooth from the socket and performs further treatments. After extracting the tooth from the mouth, the dental implants are applied to your gums.
How much do I need to pay to remove the amalgam filling?
The removal of the amalgam fillings requires proper care and organisation. The amalgam removal cost from the teeth depends on the material of the filling and the quality of the work. To compare the prices with the other practices, you can make a list of all the services and the required dental equipment. All these will help you to get the appropriate cost of the removal of the amalgam filling.
Booking an appointment:
This is all the important information about the amalgam fillings and the other related things. Knowing what an amalgam filling is, why to use the filling, whether these types of fillings are safe, when to replace the filling, whether the old amalgam fillings are dangerous for the teeth, the alternatives for the amalgam fillings, and the cost for removing the amalgam filling will help you to get the best and most effective removal session.
Finding the right clinic for the filling removal is an essential thing that you should do with care. If you are searching for a place to get high-quality amalgam filling removal in London, the most reliable option is Smile Clinic London. All the experienced dentists of our clinic are qualified and have exceptional skills to provide you with the best ever removal experience with high safety and precautions. For more details, you can call us or visit our website to schedule a consultation with our dentists.
Also Read : 7 REASONS THAT TELL YOU: YOU NEED TO SEE A DENTAL HYGIENIST NOW
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