Worried About Mercury?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

The liquid metal mercury can be found in tiny amounts within the environment around us. It’s used in some types of light bulbs and in thermometers. It also occurs in dental amalgam fillings and can be found in fish – particularly shark, swordfish, marlin and tuna.

 

Although mercury is poisonous, most medical experts agree that the small amounts of mercury present in these everyday items aren’t high enough to cause mercury poisoning. However if you have broken a light bulb or thermometer you should take care whilst cleaning up the mercury by wearing gloves and old clothes which you can throw away afterwards. It’s also important to leave the room to ventilate for at least 24 hours. If you have spilled a larger amount of mercury, or are worried about cleaning up mercury, your local council will be able to offer advice.

 

When it comes to dental fillings some people have opted to have their amalgam fillings removed. However some dentists have pointed out that removing an amalgam filling can expose the patient to more mercury vapours during the removal process than just leaving it in place. When receiving a new filling, many dentists now give their patients the choice between an amalgam filling and a composite resin filling.

 

When it comes to eating fish, the Food Standards Agency recommends that you should limit shark, swordfish or marlin to one portion each week and that pregnant women should avoid these fish completely. In addition pregnant women are advised not to eat more than two fresh tuna steaks or four medium-sized cans of tuna each week.

 

For more information about mercury in fish, visit: www.food.gov.uk

 

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Categories: amalgam, amalgam filling, amalgam fillings, Filling, Fish, mercury, nbsp, Pregnant Women, shark swordfish

Filling Philosophies: Comparing Your Cavity Filling Options

 

Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body. They help you chew, facilitate speech, and provide certain boosts to self-confidence and charisma that can make life richer and more enjoyable.

The problem is that they’re prone to decay. That’s why understanding your filling options is something essential to ensuring that your smile can stay both functional and beautiful for years to come.

Let’s explore four of the most popular philosophies revolving around what type of dental filling you should use to restore your smile.

 

1. Composite Fillings

Composite fillings employ hardened resins to protect your teeth from further decay or damage. These resins harden when an ultraviolet light is applied to them, which in turn makes them easier to apply and requires minimal removal of healthy tooth tissue.

The drawback is that composite fillings are not the most durable, which means they’re prone to cracking and failing sooner than most other types of fillings.

 

2. Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings consist of copper, silver, tin and zinc mixed together with mercury. These types of fillings require a larger portion of the tooth to be removed because they do not bond like composite fillings do.

While they’re more durable than composite fillings, they may also make it easier for certain teeth to chip and crack prematurely due to their design. The mercury is also a concern to some patients, though this is generally regarded as something that patients shouldn’t worry about.

 

3. Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are much like amalgam fillings, except they tend to be more expensive and slightly more malleable. This can be beneficial to the teeth, as gold expands just like dental tissue when heat or pressure is applied.

The other distinct advantage to gold fillings is that they do not oxidize like some types of fillings. This allows them to last longer.

Gold fillings may be right for you if you want to avoid costly future dental work. The only way to determine this is to visit a dentist such as those with Paramount Dentistry where a comprehensive evaluation of your smile can be performed.

 

4. Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings are created from ceramic and glass. They’re colored to match your tooth’s natural color, which in turn makes them more appealing to use.

In comparison to metal fillings, porcelain requires less tooth to be removed if they are used as onlays or as fillings, but they require more healthy tissue to be extracted when used as crowns due to the relatively lower strength porcelain exhibits.

 

Your Filling Choices Matter

The durability of your dental restorations and how much healthy tooth tissue must be removed is highly dependent upon the type of fillings that are used in your mouth. It’s best to thoroughly consult with your dentist before committing to any choice, as each type of dental filling will have a unique effect upon the longevity and beauty of your smile.

Categories: amalgam fillings, composite fillings, dental fillings, Dentist, gold fillings, porcelain fillings