3 Reasons Why You Should Replace Silver Fillings

non-mercury dental fillingsAccording to national research, approximately 25% of Americans have untreated dental caries and 96% of Americans have significant dental decay by the time they reach the age of 65. It’s no wonder why over 100,000 new amalgam fillings are placed annually. But while the ADA insists mercury fillings are safe and effective options for dental care, many medical and academic studies claim otherwise and back up those claims with scientific fact. Of course, each patient is different so individual resistance plays a large part in those final results. But here are a few reasons why you should consider replacing silver fillings with non-mercury tooth fillings.

Amalgams Can Cause Your Teeth to Break
Amalgam fillings contain several types of metal that combine together in the form of a putty. Once placed in the mouth that putty hardens to a solid metal consistency. Amalgams do not move or offer any type of flexibility once filled into the tooth. However, over the course of time, that metal can react to various temperatures. Ice, cold beverages, hot food, and even coffee can make the metal expand and compress inside an already weakened tooth. And if enough extremes are present, the weakened tooth can crack or fracture under the pressure. Non-mercury tooth fillings bond with the tooth and flex as necessary without reacting so drastically to temperature changes.

Amalgam Fillings May Be Corrosive and Stain
Amalgams have been the primary type of fillings used for over 150 years. They’re affordable and set quickly without needing to be customized or specially molded. But they do contain an alloy of specific metals. These metals include silver, tin, mercury, and copper as the main combination. Sometimes indium, palladium, nickel, and zinc are added to the mix. Amalgams are known to last a decade or longer, but they may eventually expand, compress, loosen, or even corrode due to a combination of life factors and bodily reactions with the metal. Once the metal loosens and begins breaking down, the silver fillings can leave behind blue or black stains on the previously filled teeth. And in some cases, those stains can be so severe that they’re confused with further decay or require the tooth to be completely removed. 

Amalgam Fillings Contain Mercury
Metal of any kind inside the body can corrode, break down, and release gases or contaminants into the bloodstream. Mercury, one of the most toxic substances on the planet, is the primary metal in amalgams accounting for approximately 50% of the metal overall. Some metals are less harmful than others and there’s a huge difference between inorganic and organic metals. But science has proven that the main metals in amalgams can attack neurotransmitters in the brain. Even if the mercury in amalgams is inorganic, it can convert to organic once it begins breaking down. However, the combination of silver, zinc, tin, nickel, and copper can result in more problems at first. And many of those problems can end up being periodontal issues such as gum disease, oral lesions, bone loss, sinusitis, TMJ, and oral cancer. Fortunately, a call to your Fort Lauderdale Holistic Dentist can eliminate these concerns once and for all by replacing your silver fillings with non-mercury tooth fillings.

 

 

4 Benefits of a Holistic Smile Makeover

dental fillingIf you happen to hate your smile, you’re definitely not in a club by yourself. Accordingto studies, almost 30% of American adults hate smiling due to dental-related confidence issues. No one’s really born with a perfect smile, regardless of what Hollywood and reality shows reflect, but the average American doesn’t have a beauty team on call 24/7. Nonetheless, whether you have one issue or several dental issues to correct, the right smile makeover can drastically improve your appearance and also improve your life. But what are the real benefits of opting for holistic dentistry treatments?

Silver Fillings Are Never a Solution
Regardless of which side of the debate you’re on, the fact is that mercury is one of the most toxic elements on the planet. The average person gets enough mercury through fish and various products we come into contact with on a regular basis, so why should your dentist opt to seal your fillings with the toxic substance? That’s never an issue with holistic dentistry treatments. Using modern composite materials that can be easily matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth, you’ll neither need to worry about the toxicity or unsightliness of mercury fillings.

Non-Invasive Smile Makeover Options
Repair and cosmetic work via traditional dentistry can be invasive and even painful. Porcelain veneers require removing existing enamel. Decay removal can lead to a painful and expensive root canal. And many anesthetic treatments result in overdose, allergies, or other adverse reactions. That’s not the case with your Fort Lauderdale dentist. Lumineers can offer the same type of results as porcelain veneers without invasive prep work. Root canals are never part of a holistic dentistry treatment. And in most cases, anesthesia doesn’t need to even be suggested. 

Biocompatible Testing Is Always Provided for Safe and Effective Treatment
So many things in life parade as one-size-fits-all solutions, but your dental treatments should never be among them. Traditional dentistry doesn’t undergo the strict material testing that holistic dentistry does to ensure all products are biocompatible with the patient’s natural body chemistry. Such compatibility testing eliminates threats and concerns regarding systematic reactions and multiple diseases linked to toxic materials that easily break down via the mouth and are inhaled into the bloodstream. So you can rest assured your new smile won’t be the cause of future chronic conditions and disease.

Say Goodbye to Dental Avoidance and Yes to Success!
A recent study by the American Dental Association discovered that tooth pain and anxiety hinder job search success for many millennials. The study also disclosed that over 30% of young adults suffer from untreated dental decay and 28% believe the condition of their teeth undermines their chances of a positive interview. Unlike traditional dentistry, holistic dentistry treatments focus on non-invasive, natural relaxants, and toxic-free solutions to correct multiple issues or simply the one that is keeping you from flashing those pearly whites. Special techniques preserve as much as the existing tooth surface as possible so you don’t lose your natural beauty in the process of repairing the problem. Contact your Fort Lauderdale holistic dentist today to discuss which holistic dentistry treatments can improve your life.