Tooth Coloured Fillings

 

Tooth-coloured fillings can be chosen to match the colour of the teeth, making them a natural-looking alternative to amalgam fillings.

Tooth-coloured fillings are often used in teeth that show during smiling or talking. They are not as durable as amalgam, and so they aren't always suitable for the grinding and chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

There are a few different types of tooth-coloured filling materials. The most common are called composite and glass ionomer. They are soft and can be moulded to look like the shape of a tooth before they are hardened, usually using a blue light. Tooth-coloured filling materials stick to teeth, so they can be used to build up the edges of chipped or worn teeth.

Composite shrinks very slightly under the blue light. This can pull on the tooth and may cause sensitivity. It can also produce a tiny gap between the filling and the tooth that may lead to further decay.

Tooth-coloured fillings must be kept completely dry until they have set, so the dentist will take special precautions to keep saliva away from the area. This may include placing a sheet of rubber over the tooth (called a rubber dam).

 

Bisphenol A

Tooth-coloured filling materials do not contain mercury. However, there have been concerns that they release a chemical called bisphenol A. This chemical is also used in the manufacture of some food packaging and water pipes.

Bisphenol A appears to mimic the action of human oestrogen hormones, and has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer and male infertility. The British Dental Association has looked into this, and found that most filling materials do not release bisphenol A, so there is no oestrogenic effect.2 However, this chemical is being used less in newer filling products.

 

 

Advantages & Disadvantages of Composite Resin Fillings

Pros and Cons of a composite resin fillings

Advantages:

The composite of composite resin fillings bonds to further support the remaining tooth structure, which helps prevent breakage and damage to your tooth. They certainly look better, and are color blended to match your natural tooth color. These fillings are often used to improve the appearance of misshapen, chipped or discolored teeth.

Composite resin fillings last about six to twelve years or more, and the procedure usually takes just one visit to your dentist. There is very little sensitivity to hot or cold items often experienced with amalgam fillings. The dentist won't need to drill as much of the tooth structure as with amalgam fillings.

 

Disadvantages:

Composite resin fillings require more time to apply than amalgam fillings. This results in an increased cost for placing composite fillings.

 

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Amalgam Fillings

Used by dentists for more than a century, dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other materials. For those reasons, it remains a valued treatment option for dentists and their patients.

Dental amalgam is a stable alloy made by combining elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper and possibly other metallic elements. Although dental amalgam continues to be a safe, commonly used restorative material, some concern has been raised because of its mercury content. However, the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth.

While questions have arisen about the safety of dental amalgam relating to its mercury content, the major U.S. and international scientific and health bodies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, among others have been satisfied that dental amalgam is a safe, reliable and effective restorative material.

 

Because amalgam fillings can withstand very high chewing loads, they are particularly useful for restoring molars in the back of the mouth where chewing load is greatest. They are also useful in areas where a cavity preparation is difficult to keep dry during the filling replacement, such as in deep fillings below the gum line. Amalgam fillings, like other filling materials, are considered biocompatible—they are well tolerated by patients with only rare occurrences of allergic response.

 

Disadvantages of amalgam include possible short-term sensitivity to hot or cold after the filling is placed. The silver-colored filling is not as natural looking as one that is tooth-colored, especially when the restoration is near the front of the mouth, and shows when the patient laughs or speaks. And to prepare the tooth, the dentist may need to remove more tooth structure to accommodate an amalgam filling than for other types of fillings.

 

Amalgam Filling Dangers: History - Anatomy

The Chemistry of Amalgam Fillings

The World Heath Organization has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources of mercury combined. Many people do not realize that their dark, “silver” amalgam fillings are 50% mercury.

A large filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer. Mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature and in this state, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Inhaled mercury vapor is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. No amount of mercury vapor can be considered harmless, especially considering its cumulative effect.

Known Mercury Toxicity Issues

Published research demonstrates that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. Due to its poisonous nature, mercury can adversely affect the immune, urinary, cardiac, respiratory and digestive systems.

Under laboratory conditions, mercury has produced brain cell deterioration identical to that seen in victims of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mercury poisoning has been implicated in immune system depression, multiple sclerosis, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome and autism.

Europe versus United States Governmental Philosophy

Many European countries have banned or curtailed the use of mercury in dental fillings, but our country lags behind in this decision. Although most medical and scientific researchers have called for a ban on the use of mercury in all products, agreeing that it is the most toxic, non-radioactive element on the earth, the U.S. government has continued to ignore the potential harmful effects of mercury fillings.

Holistic Dentistry Issues

Biological or holistic dentists recognize the impact of toxic materials and relate it to dental and physiologic health. A holistic dentist is concerned with the integrity of the oral cavity and will typically use materials and procedures in his/her practice that are systemically compatible.

Patients should keep in mind that amalgam is a material that is over 150 years old and there are many modern alternatives that can be considered.

Precautions for Safe Effective Healthful Amalgam Removal

To prevent additional mercury exposure, biologic and holistic dentists are properly trained in the removal of mercury fillings.

- Patients should inquire about the following amalgam removal protocols to be certain that the dentist they choose is following the recommended protocols for amalgam removal such as:
- Utilizing an effective oral suction system to contain amalgam particles and limit mercury vapors
- A rubber dam should isolate and prevent swallowing debris
- Operating a vacuum system at optimal efficiency
- Applying copious amounts of water to the filling during removal
- Removing large portions of the amalgam to minimize particulate and mercury vapor release
Providing a safe source of oxygen for the patient to breath during removal
- Having the patient’s hair, face and clothing covered during removal

The Environmental Protection Agency of New Jersey is concerned about mercury and has a treatise on the subject of mercury toxicity. In the area of dentistry, the New Jersey EPA recommends you ask your dentist.