0
Dental amalgam is an acceptable material for dental fillings. It lasts a long time (15-20 years), it is very affordable, and it is easy to use.
On the down side, amalgam is not cosmetic, and eventually all amalgam fillings fail and must be replaced. There are more modern materials that can be matched to the color of the tooth being filled.
Some dentists have expressed concern over the possible toxic effects of Mercury leaking from the amalgam. However, considering the BILLIONS of amalgam fillings that have been placed over the past century, it has not been scientifically established that amalgam poses a significant health threat. Nevertheless, you can find several websites that Trumpet the horrors of alleged mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings.
On a personal note, it has been my experience that dentists who encourage patients to remove all their amalgam fillings and replace them with 'non-toxic' fillings are looking to line their own pockets with gold. If a filling is clearly failing, that is one thing, but to remove a perfectly functioning amalgam (and remove more tooth structure in the process) is, in my opinion, irresponsible and unethical.
Today, many dental offices are 'mercury-free'. and that is fine. As the costs of alternative materials come down, eventually amalgam fillings will simply be a quaint sidebar in the history books of dentistry.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoMercury is used in dental fillings because it is one of the few metals that is liquid at room temperature. It is easy to work with and will stand up to the test of time.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoback in my day, we made fillings that contained mercury. It made the metal (amalgam) soft enough to pack into the hold. Now, they mostly use resin, or plastic fillings. Tooth colored.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothey poison the tooth
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What minerals are tooth fillings made out of?
The metal used for fillings now is called Amalgam. Amalgam is made up a combination of copper, tin, silver, Zinc and about 50% mercury. of There is also composite resin which is a combination of fine glass and plastic.
Do crowns have mercury?
No. Silver fillings contain mercury. Crowns do not.
Is Mercury in fillings bad for you?
yes
Why is mercury used in blood?
It isn't. But due to earlier use, as in tooth fillings, traces of it can be detected in the body.
What is amalgam used for?
An amalgam of mercury with another metal. Amalgam as used in teeth with such metals as silver, copper, tin, zinc or indium being mixed with mercury
What two or three uses of mercury the special liquid?
it is used in thermometers(sorry if i spelled thermometers wrong)
What does a dentist use to fill a cavity?
Traditional fillings are a mercury/silver mixture. These are the fillings everyone is used to seeing. On average these fillings will last 10-15 years in an adult, but they can fall out, and need to be replaced. Resin fillings are coloured to match your tooth, and have half the life-span of traditional fillings, however more people are opting to go with this type of filling for both cosmetic and health reasons, over recent concerns about mercury content in traditional silver fillings.
When thrown away what becomes a hazardous waste?
Mercury, and mercury-based tooth fillings.
What Become hazardous waste When thrown away?
Mercury, and mercury-based tooth fillings.
Why was mercury used in fillings?
Because it is cheap, moldable and when mixed with silver and some other metals it becomes unharmful!However, because mercury can be poisonous scientists are trying to find an alternative
What does the filling from the dentist come from?
It depends on the type of filling used. The old silver fillings are amalgam. They're a mercury, silver, copper, and tin mixture. The second, Composite fillings, are a synthetic resin created in a lab by scientists.
What can Mercury dental fillings do to you?
The answer from the dental community has been "Not Much". There is no conclusive evidence that the amount of Mercury contained in a dental filling can hurt you. You should know that they are not comprised entirely of Mercury and the substance is referred to as amalgam. There are alternatives to Mercury amalgam fillings and you should ask you dentist if these are available if your concern is that great.
