AMALGAM FILLING

Amalgam Filling, what is it? Is there really a danger to use it? Does silver amalgam  cause atrial fibrillation? Why sometimes it had better to choice it instead of new products? Does it represent a nuisance for pregnant women or children? We are going to see all that and others on this page.

Amalgam is one of the older dental materials of restoration used for more a century. This is the most studied and tested dental material, until now no serious injury is signalized.

But it is recommended to use a hand piece with water,while removal. Many organizations in U.S.A agree with idea that amalgam is secure to fill cavities.

Among which the US content for disease control- US department of health and human services-The US food and drug administration….What is its compositions? Amalgam is an alloy compound from: silver- tin- copper (50% powder) and mercury (50% of liquid).

The mercury is added to powder to form a compound more stable that the dentist will have to introduce into the dental cavity already prepared. An especial instrument will be used to compact the product.

Why do some people worry about that?

Certain people worry about the mercury used in the alloy. Studies show that amount mercury employed in the fillings is too weak to be dangerous for the health.

It should have to fill at least “10” big tooth cavities at the same time to reach the toxicity level. When you eat, there is a little amount of mercury to release from amalgam material to be eliminated through stools.

Another small amount released as vapor especially while removal old amalgam filling. That is why, it is always recommended to use water when removing that. Thus, that small amount is eliminated over time through the urine.
 

Use in pregnant women

The small amount of mercury released from amalgam fillings may pass the placental barrier without nuisance for the fetus. But, it is better while the pregnancy time to use other temporary material to resolve an emergency.The same instruction may be applied during feeding time.

Amalgam filling and atrial fibrillation

Certain experiences showed when you have two different materials in two opposite teeth, (for example amalgam and gold) they generate a strong electrical current which can cause health complications.This is why, they think that is almost certain to include lone atrial fibrillation.

Amalgam repairing

Many searches explained there is low bond strength in the interface between old and freshly condensed amalgam.

It is recommended to roughen the old amalgam surface or to add more mecure in the fresh amalgam to condense, so to facilitate a greater bond strength between the both new and old amalgam.

In the other side, certain studies showed there is no problem with the bond of freshly condensed amalgam. However, to increase bond strength it is better to create mechanical retentive features in to the dental structure or old amalgam.

Searches recommended to use adhesives systems as resin liner in bonded amalgam restoration and for repairing amalgam restoration joined with the roughening of an old amalgam surface.

A rough surface allows a better bond strength in the amalgam repairing. It may be done with a carbide bin adjusted into hand piece, Until now, the amalgam constitutes one of the best dental products of restoration for back teeth, but its removal is done with a hand piece containing water.

It is more resistant to chewing load, its anti-bacterial properties, and possibility of easy use and less expensive so, you don’t have any interest to replace or not to use amalgam filling.

See Also: Cavity Fillings,why are cavities sensitive or painful sometimes after filling.