Dental fillings: Do they have to be replaced?

My dentist has recommended replacing my metal dental fillings with a composite material, which would be quite expensive. Is this necessary?

- No name / No state given

Answer

That depends on the reason. If metal dental fillings are defective or show decay, they should be replaced. Also, a metal dental filling can be replaced for aesthetic reasons. However, this should only be done if your dentist believes that it will benefit the long-term health of the tooth.

Ask your dentist to explain why your fillings need replacement and why he or she is recommending composite fillings to replace your metal fillings.

The metal dental fillings you refer to are likely dental amalgam. Dental amalgam is a stable alloy made with mercury, silver, tin, copper and possibly other metals. Although concerns have been raised over the years about the safety of mercury in dental amalgam, there is no evidence that dental amalgam is unsafe.

In fact, major scientific and health organizations — including the National Institutes of Health, American Dental Association, U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and Food and Drug Administration — all consider dental amalgam to be a safe, reliable and effective treatment for dental decay. For this reason, replacing metal dental fillings due to health concerns regarding mercury is unwarranted.

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