What is amalgam filling, is it dangerous?
Amalgam fillings are obtained by mixing 45-55% mercury with silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc. Mercury is a toxic element. It accumulates in the body and causes some harm even at low doses. Mercury vapor released from amalgam fillings is taken by the lungs and passes to the brain, kidney, liver and digestive system. The half-life of mercury varies depending on the organ where it is stored, and it can remain in the brain for decades.
What is Amalgam?
Many different types of fillings are used to protect dental health. Dental fillings, which are made using different materials according to the tooth structure of the individual, are made by considering factors such as the allergy status of the patient, the location of the tooth, and the area covered by the caries. In applications using composite, porcelain and amalgam fillings are comman.
Amalgam filling is a filling material obtained by mixing Silver, Tin and Copper with Mercury. The task of mercury, which contains most of the mixture, in this mixture is to bind other metals together and turn them into a durable material. Amalgam filling, also called silver filling, is applied to the back teeth where pressure is intense, especially during chewing. The long-lasting and affordable prices make amalgam fillings an important option. The fact that it can be applied in a shorter time compared to other fillings is an important advantage in terms of patient comfort. However, is it safety for health?
Why It is Thought to be Dangerous?
Toxicity is affected by many factors such as the number of amalgam fillings in the mouth, other health problems, gender, genetic predisposition, oral hygiene, exposure to lead, and alcohol consumption. Individuals may experience different symptoms. Studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s showed that mercury vapor is released from amalgam fillings during the chewing of food, which is inhaled and absorbed by the body. It reaches high levels during the removal of amalgam fillings.
- Mercury accumulates in our body and creates a toxic effect.
- Damage occurs in mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells.
- It consumes glutathione, which is produced in organs such as the liver and kidney and strengthens the immune system.
- It adversely affects the cardiovascular system.
- It impairs kidney functions.
- It increases the risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.
- It plays a role in the formation of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
What Can be Used İnstead of Amalgam?
Today, instead of amalgam fillings, composite fillings, also called white fillings, are preferred.
Composite Filling
Composite filling is an aesthetic treatment method to treat material losses, dental caries, tooth structure disorders and color disorders that disturb the patient after trauma. Aesthetic composite filling can also be made to connect the spaces between teeth.
How is the Process?
This process begins with the dentist determining the color of the teeth. Composite filling is a procedure that can be applied in a single session. For the procedure to be performed with this application, the bruises and softened tooth tissue in the tooth area should be cleaned. After this process, acid can be applied to the tooth and the process of shaping the tooth begins. Prepared composite fillings (radiated fillings) are hardened with a beam device and placed in the tooth mold in layers not exceeding 2 mm. After the procedures, the person can return to work during the day and use his teeth in his daily life. Composite filling process takes 30 minutes on average. However, this period may vary if composite filling is applied to more than one tooth.
Amalgam Filling Removal
The safe amalgam removal technique was officially recommended by the International Academy of Oral Diseases and Toxicology (IAOMT) in 2016, in the IAOMT protocol recommendations. This info was updated on July 19, 2019. It was renamed as Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) in 2019 and dentists were informed about this by IAOMT to be certified as SMART.
Using the available scientific evidence, the IAOMT has developed comprehensive safety recommendations for the removal of existing dental mercury amalgam fillings, including detailed protective measures to be used for the procedure.
It should be known that this procedure is reliable when performed under the control of a dentist who is an expert in this field.
Composite Filling Treatment in Turkey
You can have composite fillings and get rid of amalgam fillings in Turkey. In addition, if you need filling treatment or any other dental treatment, you can choose our clinic in Turkey, and you can both take a vacation and regain your oral health.
Thanks to our advantageous prices compared to many countries, every year thousands of individuals come from abroad to stay in one of our ultra-luxury hotels and have their treatment done in a fully equipped dental clinic. If you want to make a health tourism and evaluate your affordable options, you can get information by calling our office immediately. All of our contact information is available on the Contact Us page of our website.