I have heard that some fillings contain mercury.  What problems might this lead to?
Some amalgam fillings contain mercury.  Mercury has been implicated in numerous health problems.  Mercury can cause neurological damage, gastrointestinal damage, and lead to the failure of organs like the liver.  In high enough concentrations, it can lead to birth defects.

What are the other disadvantages of metal amalgam fillings?
Metal amalgam fillings have many disadvantages.  Obviously, they stand out visually, so that they don't look any better than the cavities they fill.  Also, because they are simply jammed into the cavity, they sometimes do not completely fill the gap.  Around the edges of the filling, plaque collects where it cannot be reached by brushing or flossing, leading to decay around the filling, making it loose.  This is one reason metal fillings come out.  Another reason is that metal fillings can actually damage your teeth.  Because metal expands and contracts faster with heating and cooling than ceramics, such as tooth enamel, every time you eat or drink hot or cold foods the fillings push on or pull away from your teeth.  Eventually they can break away from the tooth or even break the tooth itself.

What other options are there?
The best other option is porcelain fillings, custom-crafted fillings made of the same material as Porcelain Bridges and Porcelain crowns.  In addition, you might have gold fillings or, in some cases, composite resin fillings.

What are the advantages of Porcelain Fillings?
Porcelain fillings correct all the disadvantages of metal fillings.  Because porcelain fillings are bonded to the tooth, they actually seal and strengthen the tooth. Porcelain fillings blend precisely with your teeth, looking completely natural, unlike metal fillings, which stand out.

Who is a good candidate for Porcelain Fillings?
Anyone who has suffered tooth decay, but otherwise has a structurally sound tooth.  If you need a filling, a porcelain filling is the way to go.

When I think "porcelain," I think fragile.  Does this mean my fillings will break?
Modern ceramics are advanced materials, used on everything from the space shuttle to hammers and golf clubs. 

Modern tanks use ceramic armor and fire ceramic armor-piercing shells, but modern porcelain veneers, crowns, and fillings are no harder than your normal teeth, making it less likely that they cause damage to adjacent teeth during jaw activity.  Anything that will break a normal tooth will break a porcelain veneer, filling, or crown.

If you have amalgam fillings and would like to have them evaluated, call or email us at boldersmiles today to make an initial appointment.