Silver Mercury Fillings and the Health Risks

Silver Mercury Fillings
The controversy over mercury isn’t just limited to its use in vaccines, but also in dental amalgam fillings. Mercury exposure has been linked to a variety of health conditions such as chronic illnesses, birth defects and autoimmune disorders.

Researchers and dentists now know that mercury in fillings does leach into the mouth, but where things start to heat up is over the amount of mercury that may be released over time. Just this past June, the FDA reported that the amount of mercury in amalgam fillings is not at a level high enough to produce harm in those that have them. The American Dental Association also supported the stance of the FDA.

But in the other corner of the boxing ring, the World Health Organization contends that "there may be no level of mercury at which some adverse effects do not occur," and other organizations like the Consumers for Dental Choice agree.
So what are you to do?

First off, talk to your dentist about what kinds of fillings they use. Most dentists today use porcelain or composite resins and some may also offer mercury amalgam fillings.

Keep in mind that porcelain fillings are attractive because your dentist can match the filling to the color of your teeth. Amalgam, on the other hand, is silver, albeit very durable, but a mouthful of silver fillings is hard to miss.

If your dentist does use mercury fillings make sure that he or she provides you with the potential dangers of the material, particularly if you have a mercury allergy, and uses the material in a well-ventilated area as vapors can be harmful. In addition, it is important that the mercury filling comes in an encapsulated form so that your dentist does not have the task of mixing the mercury and powder in the office, increasing the risk of releasing mercury vapors into the air.

The dental amalgam controversy continues to be a heated and contested topic among patients, researchers and dental professionals. Arm yourself with knowledge and communicate your concerns with your dentist.

For more information on this topic or any dental related procedure check out our website at Livonia Dental Care. If you have any questions, or a dental emergency, you can reach Dr. Jay at Livonia Dental Care at 734-427-7555. "Like" us on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

Welcome

Welcome to my first blog. I am Jay Nitzkin DDS and I practice dentistry in Livonia. I've been keeping smiles bright and happy for over 20 years.

Since I opened my practice in Livonia 20 years ago, I made a commitment to deliver dental care to my patients, using state of the art equipment. Today, we use digital x-rays, intra oral cameras, and even make our patients' crowns in the office while they wait. While much has changed in the 20 years since I've started, my commitment to you has not.

I have an excellent staff. My hygienists, Jen, Nicole, Angela and Saharah are highly trained and provide our patients with comfort oriented service.

While most dentistry is pain free, there is still a small element that is not. One of the biggest lies in our industry is the concept of "painless dentistry." In this blog, I want to discuss what you can reasonably expect from your dentist in terms of service and treatment.

Check my blog frequently for candid discussions on the latest trends, knowledge and technological advances in dental patient care. If you ever have any questions regarding anything I've posted here (or anywhere else), please feel free to call or e-mail me.

Visit our website LivoniaDentalCare.com, "Like" us on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.