Are Dental Filling Materials Safe?
Are dental filling materials safe?
Suppose your local dentist is recommending that you have a dental filling to restore a tooth from a chip or cavity. In that case, you might wonder if the materials used are safe. This is a common question and can be important for some patients. Rest assured that our dentist always considers the benefits and risks of all restorative procedures to advise our patients on the best path for them. In most cases, the suggestion to have a dental filling is made after considering the risk of not having a restoration. For example, continuing tooth decay, which may result in more invasive procedures or permanent tooth loss, would outweigh any minimal risk of performing the procedure.
When placed correctly by your Winter Park dentist, dental fillings are widely accepted as safe. Both amalgam metal fillings and composite fillings use modern materials that have minimized risks to the patient both during the procedure and for long-term stability in the tooth.
What is in a composite filling?
A composite filling is a modern alternative to older metal "silver" fillings. The composite filling material combines powdered quartz, silica, and/or ceramic materials, which color and reinforce the acrylic resin that combines all the materials into a “composite” material. This specific combination of these filler materials provides varying strength and color to help match a natural tooth color so a filling is not noticeable.
The composite filling material is also versatile enough for preventative procedures like sealants to cover grooves on a tooth, which might be more prone to a cavity, or for cosmetic procedures like tooth shaping and bonding. We even use this material to assist in straightening teeth with Invisalign to create little "buttons" for the aligner trays to hold on to.
Do composite fillings have BPA?
Another common question for your Winter Park dentist is whether or not you should worry about Bisphenol A (BPA) in your composite fillings. The primary source of concern is that BPA is present in some epoxy resins as they are found in other consumer products. Some research suggests that BPA might have harmful effects on the human endocrine system with potential links to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Although some dental materials may have BPA in them, the very low levels are not shown to pose any health risks to patients. The American Dental Associate has studied and continues to research the safety of BPA in dental materials and has not found evidence for patients to worry about.
At The Ivory Dental in Winter Park, we use premium composite filling materials that are free of BPA. In addition, the filling materials we use are chosen for their strength, durability, and excellent cosmetic characteristics.
What is in a metal filling?
Metal “amalgam” fillings are made of a mixture of metals to provide a strong and durable restoration. About half of the mixture is liquid mercury, while the other half is a mixture of metal powders like silver, copper, tin, and zinc. Although dental amalgam fillings were once the standard, they have become less popular as modern composite fillings were introduced and continue to improve.
What are the risks of metal fillings?
The primary concern of metal fillings is the use of mercury and its link to health impacts on both adults and children. These concerns are more commonly seen regarding consuming fish and shellfish with high mercury. As mercury is considered a neurotoxin, it is prudent to understand its potential health effects. One of the primary factors to consider is the exposure method and the form of the mercury being exposed. In a dental filling, the risk of exposure is from the release of mercury vapor during the filling procedure and potentially while chewing. It is possible to inhale or ingest this vapor. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Dental Association (ADA) consider the use of mercury in amalgam fillings to be safe for adults and children over the age of 6. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported little evidence that there are health impacts from dental amalgam fillings.
Because of the heightened attention and risk around metal fillings, the FDA, ADA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all have guidelines we strictly follow regarding the labeling, control, placement, and disposal of metal amalgam fillings. Specifically, the EPA also mandates the collection and safe removal of amalgam from our waste to be appropriately disposed of.
If possible, we recommend avoiding placement or removal of amalgam fillings in sensitive patients such as pregnant or nursing mothers, children, or patients with conditions that heighten their risks of mercury exposure. If this concerns you, please call your local Winter Park dentist to discuss alternative treatments or delayed treatment.
Should I have my fillings replaced?
If you are concerned about old fillings, whether composite or amalgam, the FDA and ADA do not recommend replacing dental fillings if there is no clinical reason to. If the fillings are otherwise in good condition and serving their purpose in restoring the function of your tooth, replacing the filling would require removing the existing filling material by drilling, potential (but small) loss of natural tooth structure for the new filling, and potential complications in drilling into an otherwise healthy tooth. Specifically regarding the removal of the old material, the process itself may expose the patient to additional mercury vapors in amalgam filings.
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