Should Silver Fillings Be Replaced?

Should I have my old metal fillings replaced?

That’s a common question patients ask at our South Calgary office and while making your decision here are a few things to take note of.First and foremost, there is no conclusive research that shows that silver mercury fillings are harmful to your health.

The issue lies within problems that occur under the old filling and not able to be detected by X-ray, such as cracking and decay. This can mean the difference between getting a new filling or needing a root canal procedure.With tooth colored fillings you can see the onset of problems much easier because of staining around the edges. This means the seal between the tooth and filling is breaking down, indicating that something needs to be done. With silver fillings, they corrode and tarnish making a problem harder to identify.

Are my metal fillings stronger?

Silver fillings rely fully on retention to hold them in place, they are wedged into your teeth. Over time your old filling will work its way through your tooth, causing it to crack.  So while the material silver may sound strong, it will inevitably break through your tooth.Porcelain materials are the most common type of dental ceramic used by dentists and can be used to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty and function, that will match the composition of the natural tooth structure. This means when you eat hot food and then drink something cold, the restoration and tooth expand and contract at almost equal rates. So, pain and sensitivity are reduced. Aswell, the materials used are chemically bonded so Dr. Charchuk can save as much healthy tooth as possible while providing you with a dental restoration that looks natural and seals the tooth.

When and how should I replace my silver fillings?

This all depends on how proactive you are about your mouth . Some patients only come in when they start to feel pain and need their filling replaced. Others see it as an investment to come in early and avoid bigger procedures in the long run.  Some break it up, do the top one year and the bottom the next year. If you choose to replace your fillings in stages we suggest replacing the bigger ones first as these are the fillings that can cause problems.

The team at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic wants you to make informed choices, with no pressure. We look forward to keeping your mouth and teeth at their best and strongest.