Has your Dentist ever suggested the silver fillings in your teeth be replaced and your thought was why, they don’t hurt?

This is a very common scenario in today’s Dental offices.

Did you know that tooth decay can hide under the silver fillings and you won’t even know it?  Today’s digital X-rays give the Dentist more detail than ever before, but because the silver fillings are a metal alloy they block a lot of the information.

The Dentist makes decisions on whether to recommend replace the silver fillings by looking at the teeth and studying the X-rays and testing the tooth for symptoms.  But this helps the Dentist see only about 80% of the problem.

Between 15 to 20% of the decay is hidden.

There has been much controversy over the years on the safety of the mercury containing Amalgam fillings.  I am not discussing this topic in this article.  I will leave this for others to decide.  This discussion is based primarily on the characteristics of the silver filling material.

I have been a Dentist for over 25 years and have never removed a Silver filling without finding decay.

Recently, I had the last remaining Silver Amalgam fillings removed from my teeth.  I had no symptoms but from studying my X-rays and evaluating with an Intra-Oral camera, I could see that the fillings were no longer sealing out bacteria and I had cavities.   My Dentist chose the tooth colored fillings that bond to my teeth.

At the end of the appointment, he informed me that the cavity was much deeper than the X-rays showed.   I was not surprised.  I was glad I had it done and now eat with more confidence knowing there are no little animals eating away at my teeth!  I see this in my own practice every day.

So Here is What We Know

• Silver (Amalgam) fillings contribute to cracked teeth both horizontally and vertically. The silver filling is “Packed” into the hole of a damaged tooth after it has been cleansed.
• For a short time ( 1-6 years) the filling seals out decay with a corrosive layer that forms, but over time the filling expands and contracts and wears and chips and breaks down.
• This leaves gaps between the filling and the tooth. This gap is like the Grand Canyon to bacteria and allows easy access.
• Once this void is created, the acid from the bacteria slowly starts to eat away at your tooth with the intention of reaching the nerve.
• If this problem is not detected early , the filling actually begins to “float” in your tooth. Movement of the silver filling acts as a small wedge.  Have you ever watched a person split a log? The sharp metal edge of the axe hits the log and starts the splitting action without having to touch the entire piece of wood…..it just splits apart.  This occurs to our teeth, especially molars that are under tremendous load and pressure.
• Silver amalgam fillings that are “watched” and not replaced when decay is detected is a major contributor to cracked, broken teeth that end up requiring root canals and or crowns. This is why we have root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, partials and dentures.
• When disease to teeth is not caught early, the problem becomes so big and expensive that people end up electing to have teeth removed.
• The major damaging effect of failing silver fillings is the feared vertical root fracture. This is when the much weakened tooth has a crack form and over time it moves down toward the end of the root.  How do you fix this you may wonder?  You don’t!  It leads to tooth loss and expensive replacement options.

I share this information to help you make good decisions about your dental health.

Silver fillings do not last forever.   The original cavity that formed years ago was the original problem.  When the Dentist cleansed out the tooth and placed the silver filling, it filled the hole and temporarily solved the problem, it did not add any strength to the tooth.  These fillings do not bond to teeth; they get wedged in to fill the cavity.

Filling Replacement Options

There is actually quite a bit of Dental engineering that goes into choosing and designing solutions for peoples Dental problems. When the amount of missing tooth is small to moderate and the tooth is very strong with no evidence of fractures; a great choice is the tooth colored composite filling.

These custom color matched fillings actually chemically bond to the teeth to help increase strength and prevent a new episode of tooth decay. When the damage or cavity is moderate to large and there is evidence of cracks, fractures or symptoms of discomfort on occasion when chewing the best solution is a bonded porcelain onlay.

What is an onlay?

Think of a puzzle with the pieces fitting together to make a whole picture. When the onlay is bonded, it replaces all of the damaged areas with one piece and is permanently bonded. This restoration is very conservative , and it adds significant strength to the tooth. It also helps to protect the nerve and prevent the dreaded vertical root fracture.

When the damage and missing tooth structure is greater than 50% of the width of the tooth and there are fractures and sometimes biting symptoms, the best solution is a porcelain crown . The very large old silver filling is removed including all decay and a foundation called a core is placed in the hole to act as an anchor for the crown.

The crown helps to protect the nerve , give back strength to the tooth and returns the tooth to its original function and beauty. Think of a crown as a second chance for the damaged enamel.

Problems With Postponing Silver (Amalgam) Filling Replacement

• Potential pain and inconvenience when tooth cracks.
• Expensive replacement when the decay becomes too large.
• May need a root canal in order to save the tooth.
• Worn filling will allow chewing teeth to move into wrong position.
• Vertical root fracture will lead to tooth loss and need for Dental Implant.

Benefits of Replacing Silver (Amalgam) Fillings as Soon as a Problem is Detected

• Save money by preventing major tooth damage.
• Prevent pain and discomfort associated with a cracked tooth.
• Removes active disease from your mouth and body.
• Helps to keep your own teeth and prevent need for Implants and Dentures.
• Keeping your own teeth will lead to a longer healthier life.
• Prevents future cavities.
• Did I mention that it saves you money?

Have additional questions about replacing silver (amalgam) fillings? Don’t hesitate to Contact Us or leave a reply below and we will be happy to try and answer them for you!