What are your thoughts on mercury (amalgam) teeth fillings?

I'm just curious because when I was in high school, I had some major health problems that resembled chronic fatigue syndrom or fibromyalgia. I had headaches every day of my life for about 5 years, was always extremely tired, had sore throats at least once a week, and had no energy. I saw tons of doctors and specialists and no one ever figured out what was wrong. It has gotten better in recent years but only because I just this week had the last of my old mercury (amalgam) fillings replaced with the natural colored ceramic ones. I actually switched dentists because my old dentist was nearly fanatical about them being "totally harmless."

I just got a newsletter from our local peace group, and they are having a film and discussion about the dangers of amalgam fillings this week. How do you all feel about this issue?

they are a bane.....

get them removed if you can...

on the off-chance that they might be unhealty, and I'm doing the same as my fillings need replacement. If you can afford it friesianrider, I think replacement of amalgam fillings is worth trying. Good luck!

and I have no idea what some of them may be. Can a current dentist just look at them and tell if they are the old kind. Does anyone know if dentists stopped using the old stuff and when?

Some dentists still use them - I know my one old dentist who was all for amalgams said snootily, "the ADA says that it would be 'unethical' for me to tell you that the amalgam fillings are harmful." :eyes: MANY dentists still use them because most insurance companies only cover the cost of amalgams and the ceramic ones are extra $ (but worth it IMHO).

When I found my new dentist, he said that he just doesn't feel comfortable having the mercury around the office, so doesn't use them. Plus, if for no other reason, the ceramic fillings are shaded to match your natural tooth color so you cannot even see them and they are much stronger than the amalgams.

edit: Here's pics for you to see the difference in appearance between amalgams and ceramic ones: http://www.bluestonedental.com/cerec/

If I ever have a cavity, I'll have the white stuff put in. Even if it costs more and I have to save up for it.

My state is looking into phasing out the dental use of mercury. Even if amalgam has no effect on the patient (and I'm not convinced that it hasn't got an effect), the production of these fillings does increase the environmental mercury load .

I am so with you there. Those dark fillings were hideous...my insurance only pays for the amalgams, and the ceramics are around $45 extra. I gldly paid the extra for the ceramic ones - they look SO much nicer.

with tooth colored fillings. Why take the chance?

:shrug:

Like someone else said, if for no other reason, the ceramic tooth-colored fillings look so much nicer. I frankly think that years from now we will learn what a huge mistake these amalgam fillings were.

make sure your dentist places a sedative filling prior to the tooth colored one. Composite fillings (as they are called) are infamous for creating a lot of sensitivity...

At least that was the case for me. My dentist had to go reopen it and fill it with a sedative property, which totally did the trick!

Forgive me if that is too much information. LOL! I was miserable with mine prior to the correction, figured I might save you some stress if you just ask for it right away...

Fuji is a good one.

My last two I had done and I was experiencing some kind of discomfort - not pain per se, but more if a sensitivity like when you have a cavity and suck in cold air (ok, now THAT was TMI! ;)). I've never had any problems after dental work (even my one root canal was no problem) so I was surprised, but now that you mention that maybe that is what it was.

So did your dentist just put something under the composite filling to help with the sensitivity?

actually. Usually we get a filling because of a cavity. The filling is fixing that, so a few days of air or even temperature sensitivity is normal. If it goes beyond a few days (or weeks) then you may need a bit of a sedative dressing at the base of the filling to settle things down.

A sedative dressing, is placed under the composite to help with the sensitivity--if it is problematic or you know yourself to be sensitive in that respect.

I had troubles with mine for weeks. My dentist recommended trying the sedative (brand name Fuji). He placed that, then replaced the composite over it. HUGE improvement! He later tried it with some of his employees, that had similiar sensitivity to their composite filling and this did the trick! :woohoo:

It seems more prevalent on back teeth (molars).

In theory, amalgams are supposed to be more sensitive than composites, but this has never been the case for me. Go figure--right? :eyes: :shrug:

Gee, who knew my dental assisting education would ever be put to good use? LOL!

could it be one of those amalgam ones???

If it matches the color of your natural tooth, it is ceramic. If it is grey, dark grey, or silver in color it is amalgam.

edit: Here's a link to showing you the difference between the appearance of amalgams and ceramic fillings: http://www.bluestonedental.com/cerec/

Damn.

I should get it switched...

Most insurance companies will only fully cover the cost of amalgam fillings, but will partially cover the cost of ceramic fillings. Mine are something like an additional $45 a tooth for the ceramic.

Here's the difference when you switch from amalgams to ceramic (looks much nicer, huh?!):

http://www.bluestonedental.com/cerec/

that I don't have medical insurance.

:grr:

Well in that case, I think the cost of a new ceramic filling would be between $50-$175 depending on the size of your cavity. My last two cavities I had replaced with ceramic had a $90 deductible and the entire cost was $95 for one and $125 for the other. So, if you could swing between $50-$175 to pay it out of pocket that might be something to consider :)

I'll consider it when I get some extra money.

Thanks.

apply to older people. Holy fuck I got a few of these a few years ago.

And had 4 of the amalgams but they were from when I was a child (maybe from when I was around 8-13 years old). I'm amazed many dentists still use the amalgams unless you ask for composite ceramics instead (and also pay a bit extra for them usually).

My first thought is that having mercury in your mouth isn't good. They say in the physical form it is in your mouth it is harmless but common sense tells me any idiot wouln't buy that. Maybe they are harmless, but if for no other reason the composite ceramics look SO much nicer and why take the chance you're ingesting mercury from your tooth fillings?

Some day i'll get them yanked and replaced. I've read they were horrible: I've read they were not as bad as eating sushi every week. I tend to think intuitively they are not good.

I'm following all the links from there - amazing.

I go to wikipedia alot theese days.

And I had some dental work done recently. Yes, I had some silver fillings removed.

Not knowing stuff can hurt you.

In 1990, when I had money, I asked my then dentist to replace my amalgams. I wanted bonding (the alternative) and he disabused me of the idea telling me it was not necessary (he didn't do bonding).

Now my amalgam fillings have spread and broken many molars that I could not get bonded in time (no money now).

because of the amalam, I have a $3000 bridge (taking care of 3 molars) I got 1 tooth crowned (finishing the job next wednesday) and have 5 to go, at $1200 a piece.

I am not happy with amalgam. Bonding makes you look younger too when you open your mouth. Younger people have less fillings.