Commonly known as a “silver filling,” dental amalgam is used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. The amalgam generally consists of a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. And while some consider silver fillings to be a cosmetic eyesore, they can also be a potential health risk for some.

Because dental amalgam fillings may release small amounts of mercury in the form of a vapor that can enter the body through inhalation, the FDA recommends that high-risk populations avoid dental amalgam, including children, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, people with a neurological impairment or kidney dysfunction, and those who are sensitive to mercury, silver, copper, tin, or zinc.

What we use instead of amalgam

At our Smile Advanced Dental Center office in Summerville, SC, we do not use amalgam at all. As with all our dental treatments, we are at the forefront of the most advanced, innovative solutions which means we implement quartz glass resin for fillings.

Not only is this type of composite filling a much safer, healthier option for everyone, it also strengthens the tooth and it matches the enamel. No more unsightly silver!

Determining if amalgams should be removed

Over time, amalgams can cause teeth to crack, leading to necessary removal.

But amalgams can also be removed preventatively to avoid a crack in the future — and to avoid further decay.

“For metal fillings that have been in the mouth for 20-plus years, you could easily say that somewhere around 85% have decay underneath them that goes undetected,” says Dr. Randy Jones of Smile Advanced Dental Center. “That decay can eventually lead to a root canal, so it can be smart to act early and remove the amalgams before it becomes a bigger issue.”

How we implement SMART in our amalgam removals

SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique and it is a global health initiative to protect dental patients, dental employees, and the global environment from the harmful effects of mercury that is generated during the removal of dental amalgam fillings, which contain roughly 50% elemental mercury.

At Smile Advanced Dental Center, we are SMART-certified and we are extremely cautious when removing amalgams. We implement the latest technology that utilizes high-volume air suction to trap any vapors from the mercury upon removal. This means the patient is fully protected and has zero chance of breathing any toxins. 

Insurance generally covers amalgam removals, although there are some exceptions.

If you’re looking for amalgam removal near you in Summerville, SC, or have more questions, contact us to set up an appointment today!