A 46-year-old member asked:
Is there any reason to have silver mercury / amalgam fillings removed?
5 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Davisanswered
Dentistry 38 years experience
Silver Fillings: The silver filling should be removed if it is leaking, cracked , or the margins are opened. All of these breed decay and destruction to the tooth. If none of these exist it is best to leave it alone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed Sep 03, 2021
Dr. Phillip Fristanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Yes: Any man made material will only last for so long. Amalgam fillings have an average life expectancy of 15 years. After that the may last for several years or may begin breaking down and leaking around the edges and decay will begin or they may crack under stress. But you should not have an amalgam filling removed just because it has mercury in it. The mercury is bound to the other metals.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed Sep 03, 2021
Dr. James Wrightanswered
Dentistry 35 years experience
Do some research...: Do some research. You can choose an accredited dentist, member of the iabdm or iaomt. Take a look at their web sites- www.Iabdm.Org, www.Iaomt.Org - to find dentists, with additional training in safe removal of mercury, amalgam fillings by iaomt and iabdm . Accredited members of these international academies, follow their protocols. See consumers for dental choice- www.Toxicteeth.Org.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Cary Goldsteinanswered
Prosthodontics 37 years experience
If they are leaking: Many fillings last a long time, it depends on if they were placed well and if they leak. Your dentist can use an intra oral camera to show you why they need to be replaced.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed Sep 03, 2021
Dr. Arnold Malermananswered
Orthodontics 55 years experience
Only if they bare failing. Average life span of silver filling is 15 years, but many last longer. I have some over 60 years old. Tooth colored fillings have shorter av erase life spans. If you are concerned about the mercury in silver fillings, don't be. The mercury binds to the other metals and is therefore harmless.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Sep 03, 2021
Similar questions
A 43-year-old member asked:
What's involved in having mercury amalgam fillings removed ?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Kattuahanswered
Dentistry 25 years experience
Drilling them out: Removal of amalgam fillings increases your exposure to mercury vapor because they are drilled out. If you would like to reduce your exposure then ask the dentist to remove them while you are wearing a dental dam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Can you get your silver/mercury/amalgam fillings taken out?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Bassmananswered
Dentistry 47 years experience
Yes: Filling with amalgam can definitely be replaced with tooth colored restorations. Be aware though, that after replacement, the teeth may be sensitive for awhile due to the procedures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
How do you get an amalgam filling removed?
5 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Stanley Linanswered
Dentistry 19 years experience
See your dentist: Your dentist can help you get your amalgam filling removed. Usually you will need to have your tooth anesthetized and then the amalgam filling can be drilled out and replaced with a composite filling or crown.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
When should I remove mercury amalgam fillings?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Merrettanswered
Dentistry 31 years experience
Remove mercury fill: You should removed the mercury amalgam filings when they are starting breakdown. If they have recurrent decay underneath them, or if you have a sensitivity to metals. I would suggest replacing them with something other than amalgam, but that is my personal opinion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
What are the dangers of having mercury amalgam fillings?
9 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jonathan Engelanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Depends: It all depends on where you want to go with this. If you want to say there are dangers you can find lots of studies on line to verify it. The danger of mercury is well documented, whether or not it can leach from a filling and cause an issue is where the controversy is. My personal take is that if 1% of what they say is true then they are bad. I feel we have better alternatives in dentistry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 3, 2021
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