5 important reasons you should replace Dental Amalgam with resin composite fillings.
Amalgam fillings, the silver fillings you see when you smile, are used to treat cavities in teeth and have a lifespan of roughly ten years. They are a mixture of mercury, silver, copper, tin, and zinc. At one point amalgam fillings were the only option available if you needed a filling. But over time, alternatives like resin-based composite have become more popular, and dental amalgam use has decreased. Why then should you choose resin composite fillings instead of amalgam ones?
1. Diminish an allergic response.
Since amalgam fillings contain heavy metals, some people may have an allergy or sensitivity to the components (i.e. mercury, zinc, copper, tin, silver) of an amalgam filling. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, rash on the skin, and mouth ulcers. To reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction, resin composite fillings might be used in place of amalgam ones.
2. Decrease mercury exposure.
Half the weight of amalgam fillings is composed of mercury. While the levels are considered safe, certain individuals are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of mercury. Those who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, nursing mothers, those who have an allergy to mercury, and those who have neurological impairments or kidney dysfunction are among the groups of people who are at risk. Replacing amalgam fillings with resin composite ones may be a wise decision if you fall into the at-risk category.
3. Boost visual appeal.
The amalgam fillings are visible when you laugh or grin because they contrast with your naturally white teeth. Some people may feel self-conscious about smiling as a result of this. Since resin composite fillings are tooth colored, they are virtually invisible. Making the move to resin composite fillings might therefore assist to improve the uniformity of your smile by hiding the regions where you have treatment.
4. Strengthen your teeth.
Similar to a pothole, an amalgam filling is jammed into your tooth and does not adhere to the tooth. A composite filling, on the other hand, attaches to the tooth, making it stronger and less likely to leak. Even though a leaky filling is invisible, it can still let bacteria to get inside your teeth and lead to deterioration. Eventually, rather than a filling, this can call for a more involved and costly surgery like placing a crown. Therefore, switching from amalgam to resin composite fillings can help stop tooth degradation and strengthen your teeth so they are less likely to leak.
5. Make your teeth healthier.
Over time, amalgam fillings have been shown to induce microfractures in teeth. This is due to the amalgam’s inability to withstand stress when applied to your tooth, which causes an uneven distribution of force that may result in cracks and fractures in your natural tooth. Furthermore, 50% of the mercury used in amalgam fillings expands and contracts in response to temperature variations.
Therefore, the filling will expand and put additional strain on your tooth when you consume something hot. The amalgam filling will shrink when you eat anything cold, such as ice cream, leaving spaces around the filling where bacteria can grow. As a result, switching out your amalgam fillings for resin composite fillings might enhance your teeth’s general health.
