Mercury-free restoration replaces the traditional dental approach of using amalgam fillings, often made using silver, several other metals and mercury to effectively seal the filling into the tooth. 

 

However, dental technology has advanced enough for us to avoid this option altogether and keep us away from the dangers of prolonged mercury exposure. 

 

What are the health hazards of mercury?

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The dangers of mercury poisoning are often heard of through the consumption of fish, although we are subject to harmless traces of mercury in the air around us, vegetables that are grown in untreated soil, and even drinking water.

 

However, a person with an amalgam filling is in closer danger of mercury exposure than the average person.

 

Someone who is exposed to mercury for long periods of time may suffer from migraines, short-temper, exhaustion, anxiety palpitations or mild amnesia, and several other symptoms.

Moreover, when a person with an amalgam filling drinks or eats hot or more corrosive foods, brushes, and grinds or clenches their teeth, the abrasive nature of the dental activity causes them to consume the mercury from the amalgam. 

 

Upon the discovery of these hazards to a person's health, several people with existing amalgam fillings can opt for mercury-free dental restoration which will replace them with safer materials such as ceramic composites.

 

What are the benefits of mercury-free restoration?

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Mercury-based amalgam fillings are also known to wear away, break or darken over time. Besides mercury exposure, amalgam can also make your teeth and smile look quite unsightly, which makes mercury-free restoration all the more imperative to preserve the health and pristine look of your teeth. 

 

In addition, contemporary fillings using composite materials aren’t just more natural in appearance but are also safer for your health, more durable, stain-resistant, and last longer than amalgam fillings or crowns.

 

What happens during mercury-free restoration?

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The dentist will first examine the amalgam filling or crown to assess how deeply it is affixed and the best course of action to safely remove it. In the case of crowns, a digital model of your teeth will be created which will act as a blueprint for the dental team to construct a customised ceramic crown for your teeth, which can take a few weeks. 

 

On the day of the restoration, the dentist will use safe, modern-day dental technology to take out the amalgam filling or crown without the risk of exposing you to further mercury emissions. This will help minimise your mouth and body to the mercury residue and safely transition you to the more natural forms of filling or crown. The restoration process usually takes just one sitting depending on the depth, age, and size of your amalgam filling or crown. 

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