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Safety of Dental Composites Vs. Mercury Fillings

The most controversial area among dentists pertains to dental materials. Today's dental graduates use dental composite filling material and would not consider mercury amalgam. Composite fillings are more expensive but far better for your health.

  1. History

    • Mercury amalgams have been used in dentistry since 1820. In 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared that scrap dental amalgam material from dental offices must be treated as hazardous waste.

    Health Risk

    • To find out more about the health risk of mercury, explore the Clifford Materials Reactivity Test. 1.059 patients were exposed to various byproducts of dental materials to provoke an immune reaction.

    Time Frame

    • An amalgam filling starts breaking down before seven years, says Dr. Edward Arana, D.D.S., past president of the American Academy of Biological Dentistry. They should be replaced before this occurs.

    Effects

    • Composite fillings are made with a combination of metals that are less toxic. They are slower to break down and do not pose any health risks in later years.

    Identification

    • Composite fillings match tooth color. Mercury fillings are shiny silver and turn to dark or black when old.

    Considerations

    • Mercury amalgam filling are considerably less in cost, whereas composite fillings are more expensive.

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