Are amalgam fillings toxic?!

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I would definitely not classify them as "toxic". Amalgam fillings have a small amount of mercury in them but they do a fine job and mercury at those levels has never shown to cause any problems. They definitely won't show up in any tests. FYI, if she is to have them removed and replaced with white fillings, the process of removing them will release more mercury than if they are just left. Either way it is very little, but it would make no sense to try to remove them to get the mercury out since it is tied up in the metal at this time and not effecting her in any way.

I'm a dentist

This is a HUGE controversy, amalgam contains mercury, which is toxic. However, there is no proof that says the mercury in amalgam has caused issues, I have heard stories of people being diagnosed with schizophrenia, then having the amalgam fillings removed and they are fine, but who knows how true it is. There are other reasons for having the amalgam removed. Some amalgam fillings CAN last 30 years, but most of the time, especially when consuming hot/cold, the alloy metals also in the amalgam will expand and contract causing micro-leakage. When bacteria enters the microscopic cracks in the filling, it can cause more decay in the tooth, leading to larger fillings, root canals, or extractions. Another reason is amalgam can stain your gums, the remaining tooth the filling is in, and the surrounding teeth, causing them to turn a grayish black. The majority of patients that come into dental offices now, are mostly worried about the cosmetic appearance of their teeth, and they want the white or composite fillings. These fillings do not last nearly as long as the amalgam, and can be more costly. These are typically replaced every 3-5 years verses the amalgam lasting anywhere between 5-30 years.

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