Are amalgam fillings safe?
The safety of amalgam (silver) fillings are frequently under debate in recent years. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. The debate is concerning whether the mercury is released as a vapor during normal chewing. According to American Dental Association (ADA), studies have failed to find any link between silver filling and any medical disorders. The current consensus is that amalgam is a safe dental filling material. There are many options to silver fillings, including composite (tooth color filling), porcelain and gold. Some filling materials work better in certain areas in the mouth due to esthetics, amount of moisture during placement and chewing force. Choice of filling materials should be discussed with a dentist.
