{"id":268,"date":"2022-09-05T16:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fisherdds.com\/blog\/?p=268"},"modified":"2022-10-03T16:55:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T16:55:45","slug":"should-you-replace-metal-fillings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fisherdds.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/05\/should-you-replace-metal-fillings\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Get Your Metal Fillings Replaced?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For more than 150 years, dentists have treated tooth decay with fillings made from amalgam. This material contains a mixture of various metals, most notably mercury. You may have heard about the controversy over whether metal fillings are even safe. If you still have amalgam fillings, you might be wondering whether you should replace them with tooth-colored fillings<\/a> that contain no metal. Keep reading to learn why replacing your metal fillings might be the safest choice for your smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are the Risks of Metal Fillings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many health organizations, including the American Dental Association, have asserted that amalgam fillings are generally safe for the majority of patients. However, research has suggested that metal fillings can pose certain health risks, which include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury Vapor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, mercury can release vapor over time. This vapor can then be inhaled into your lungs, where it could travel to other areas of your body, such as your kidneys or brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bioaccumulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bioaccumulation refers to when a chemical gradually builds up in the organs or tissues, and research suggests it occurs with mercury when a person has had amalgam fillings for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal Allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people have allergies or sensitivities to mercury, silver, copper, or other components in amalgam fillings. For these people, metal fillings may cause a negative reaction, such as lesions in the mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Shouldn\u2019t Have Metal Fillings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Certain groups of people may be at a higher risk of health problems caused by mercury exposure than others. That\u2019s why, in 2020, the FDA recommended that mercury fillings should not be given to people who:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n