We have been a mercury free practice since 1989. Chances are, your first cavity was filled with a dark-silver amalgam. You might have multiple fillings, and you might wish you could change them for something less conspicuous. Now could be your time.
There are two drawbacks to having amalgam fillings:
- Placement of amalgam restorations is inherantly a non-conservative restoration, requireing more tooth structure removal than is nesessary. In addition, amalgam does not adhere to tooth structure, leaving the remaining tooth structure weakened and vulnerable to fracture.
- It's a fact that amalgam corodes/rusts over time. Due to the corosion process the amalgam expands causing internal stresses and encourages cracking of already weakened tooth structure. With natural wear, these restorations can deteriorate to the point where bacteria can seep under the filling, allowing decay to grab hold of healthy tooth material.
- Mercury is a poison that in large doses can cause brain damage, kidney malfunction, memory loss, and depression. We now know that low levels of mercury vapor in amalgam fillings are released over time. What we don't know is the cumulative effect of low doses on your body over a long period of time.
For safe removal of mercury fillings we take the utmost precautions using the following:
- Rubber Dam Isolation (to isolate the area of treatment from the oral environment)
- High Speed Evacuation
- Oxygen Nasal Mask
- Room Air Filtration
Dr. Kerbs has stayed current, through hundreds of hours of continuing education, on proper replacement of amalgam with the latest materials and proper technique.
White composite fillings offer many benefits other than the absence of mercury:
- They are natural looking, and never discolor neighboring teeth or tissues.
- Their strength and durability has greatly improved in recent years.
- Composite fillings are bonded to the tooth and up to 90% of the original tooth strength is re-established.
- Tooth-colored composite fillings are safe and do not contain any harmful ingredients.
Your comfort and safety is always our priority. If you have any furthur questions, please call or ask us at your next appointment.
