Dr.
Palou: “Silver fillings are safe, the only reason to remove them from the mouth is aesthetic” Dr. Cristina Palou responds to the main concerns about silver amalgams Silver amalgams – or “mercury fillings”, as many people call them – have their days numbered.
The Council of the European Union has proposed to progressively eliminate them by 2030 and the first step will be to prohibit their use from next year in the treatment of baby teeth, in children under 15 years of age and in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Should we worry if we have a mercury filling?
Dr.
Cristina Palou responds to the concerns that have arisen around this issue.
Q: Are silver amalgams toxic?
Dr.
Palou: No, and we can be totally sure of that.
These amalgams are safe, stable and durable.
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Dental Federation (FDI) have assured on many occasions that they are a safe and effective filling material.
Apart from silver and mercury, amalgams are also composed of tin, copper or zinc.
They have had bad press because mercury vapors are toxic, but it has been proven that the levels of mercury contained in the fillings are not and, in addition, they maintain a shape that does not release these gases.
Q: But if they are so safe, why is the European Union gradually eliminating them?
Dr.
Palou: As a preventive measure to reduce the use of mercury in all its applications and the risk of discharge into the environment.
For example, the use of mercury in thermometers and blood pressure measuring instruments used in healthcare will also be eliminated.
Silver amalgams can pollute the environment if the dentist does not dispose of them correctly, which is why the European Union wants to do without them as a precaution.
However, silver amalgams are increasingly falling out of use in favor of composites (“white fillings”) as patients prefer them for aesthetics.
However, there are cases in which they remain the best option, for example for subgingival caries or baby teeth.
Q: Is it false then that they can cause serious diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s?
Dr.
Palou: Totally false.
These types of statements are alarmist and do not correspond to current scientific evidence, which has found no relationship between amalgam fillings and these diseases.
Amalgam is a stable material with more than 150 years of history and which millions of people around the world carry in their mouths.
There is no health reason why they should stop wearing them, with the exception of local side effects or allergic reactions, which are very exceptional and, in any case, do not involve adverse systemic effects.
Q: Is it advisable to replace silver fillings with composites?
Dr.
Palou: It is not necessary or recommended at first, unless they are broken or in poor condition, leaking or with decay around them.
In case the patient wants to replace them for aesthetic reasons, they must keep in mind that removing them always involves the removal of part of the healthy tooth.
For this reason, I do not recommend replacing silver fillings in good condition unless the patient requests it and is aware of these considerations in advance.
Silver fillings are safe, the only reason to remove them from the mouth is aesthetic.