Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?

Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of amalgam (silver) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this blended metal to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy is due to claims that the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems.

According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), many dentists use silver fillings to fill teeth. The CDA also states that silver fillings are safe and that studies have failed to find any link between silver containing mercury and any medical disorder.

There are numerous options to silver fillings, including composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, and gold fillings. We encourage you to discuss these options with your dentist so you can determine which the best option for you is. Dr. Halpin rarely uses silver fillings as he prefers other materials.

For more information see the CDA’s website at www.cda.adc.ca