Mercury Free Dentistry

Our office uses composite fillings instead of the silver-mercury (amalgam) fillings because of problems associated with amalgam fillings. The silver-mercury fillings (a) contain metals that create more problems with tooth sensitivity (b) oxidize (rust) over time; this turns the tooth gray-black (c) expand over time; can crack and weaken the tooth (d) do not bond to the tooth; can allow fluids and bacteria to move under the filling (e) require the tooth to hold the filling in place; this weakens the tooth (f) require more tooth removal for filling placement (g) react with other metals in the mouth; speeds up the breakdown of other silver-mercury fillings (h) tend to cast a gray shade into the tooth due to its metallic color (i) contain the heavy metal mercury.