Mercury Free Dentist

What is a "mercury free dentist"? It means that we have chosen not to place traditional amalgam fillings, and opt for white composite fillings instead. There are many sound reasons for this, which we discuss briefly below.

Why choose a mercury free dentist?

Many people are surprised to learn that the amalgam material used for traditional fillings is more than 50% mercury by weight. Mercury is a known toxin, that is very difficult to remove from the body once it gets into the blood and tissues.

Current dental research continues to explore the effects of mercury fillings on the body, but the lack of conclusive evidence of safety or harm to date has many people choosing to play it safe and go with mercury free white composite fillings.

There are other advantages to mercury free fillings. The composite material used in mercury free fillings bonds with the tooth, creating a stronger, more stable structure when the filling is in place. Amalgam fillings actually weaken teeth, even though the material itself is stronger.

An obvious advantage is appearance, especially if the cavity if towards the front of your mouth. Mercury free fillings can be made to look just like your natural tooth structure, while amalgam fillings are glaringly obvious.

Also, as shown in the picture to the left, mercury fillings can corrode over time, causing the need to remove and replace them. White composite fillings can remain stable for the life of the tooth.

If you need to address a current cavity, or want to learn more about replacing your amalgam fillings with white fillings, use the Online Appointments link in the top bar menu to set up an appointment.