Worried about the mercury in your silver fillings? You deserve a calm, evidence-based conversation. From anywhere in Halton Hills, talk with our dentist about what current guidance says and what your own teeth show.
An article, a podcast or a friend's experience can leave you uneasy about the amalgam in your mouth. Silver fillings do contain mercury bound with other metals, and it is reasonable to want to understand what that means. The useful starting point is the guidance from health regulators and the actual state of each filling.
The FDA does not recommend removing intact amalgam fillings without a clinical reason, partly because drilling them out sacrifices healthy tooth and briefly increases mercury vapour exposure. Replacement remains a good option when there is decay, a fracture, a failing margin, or a carefully considered cosmetic goal.
Households across Halton Hills, from Georgetown and Acton to Glen Williams and the smaller hamlets, are welcome to bring their questions to our Milton practice. Share what prompted your concern and any medical advice you have received. The exam then shows whether there is a dental reason to act.
Health worries and dental problems can overlap, but they are not the same thing. Separating them helps you make a choice you feel settled about.
If you notice a broken edge, a rough patch or floss that catches, the filling may need attention for straightforward dental reasons. Tell us when you first felt it. A contained defect might be repaired without replacing everything.
Tooth pain or sensitivity needs a dental diagnosis, and the cause could be a crack, the nerve, the gums or another tooth. For general health symptoms, talk with your physician as well. Removing fillings is not a substitute for a medical assessment.
Some people simply prefer tooth-coloured restorations. That is a valid personal choice. We will explain the likely appearance and how much healthy tooth would be removed, so the decision rests on a clear understanding.
An intact, decay-free amalgam filling does not need to come out because it contains mercury, looks dark or has been there a long time. Ask what specific finding supports any recommendation to remove it.
If a filling has a real problem, replacing it can remove decay, seal leaking edges and restore a cleanable shape. The restoration chosen should suit the amount of tooth remaining and the bite forces on that tooth.
A tooth-coloured composite may suit smaller cavities, while larger or heavily loaded teeth may need an onlay or crown. Every material has its own ingredients and limits, and none is the right answer for every tooth, so ask how the recommendation balances preserving tooth, strength, appearance and your personal concerns.
Patient information: CDA — tooth-coloured filling materials
You should know whether the plan treats decay, a broken filling, a weakened cusp, or a preference you have chosen after weighing the trade-offs. That clarity lets you compare replacement with monitoring.
Ask what the alternative materials contain and how they behave. The dentist can explain which ones suit this cavity, and why a choice that suits another tooth may not suit this one.
If a physician is involved in managing a health concern, it can help to share relevant information. Coordinating advice keeps dental decisions consistent with your overall care.
There is time for questions at every stage. Let us know if worry about mercury, comfort, appearance or cost is most on your mind.
We start with your concerns, then check the fillings, surrounding enamel, gums and bite. X-rays may be suggested if they would help. The dentist will explain each finding in plain terms and show you the area if possible.
You will discuss whether there is a dental reason to replace anything, what the FDA guidance says, and the material, fee and alternatives. Removing old metal can reveal more decay than expected, which may change the plan.
If replacement goes ahead, the tooth is numbed and isolated, and water spray and high-volume suction are used while the amalgam is removed. The tooth is checked, then restored or temporarily protected if further planning is needed.
Shape, contacts and bite are checked before you leave. Ask about eating and cleaning, and if more work is planned, confirm the next step and how to look after the tooth meanwhile.
How you care for the tooth depends on the depth of the repair and the material placed. Call if eating or cleaning becomes difficult.
Wait until the numbness wears off before chewing, and be careful with hot food and drinks. With a temporary in place, follow the specific instructions for that stage.
Let us know if the tooth seems to hit first or remains sore during meals after a day or two. Avoid testing it on hard foods. A description of the sensation helps the team decide whether an adjustment is needed.
A fluoride toothpaste twice a day and daily flossing or interdental brushing keep the new margins healthy. Mention if floss catches or food gets trapped in a new spot, so the restoration and its neighbour can be checked at your next visit or sooner if it bothers you.
It is fine to ask detailed questions about the materials in your mouth. Good answers balance regulatory guidance with the condition of your own teeth.
Patient information: FDA — decisions about existing amalgam fillings
Arrange an appointment at our Bronte Street office to talk about amalgam fillings, a new symptom or a wish for a metal-free smile. You will hear what the exam shows and what the guidance suggests before anything is decided.
Call the clinic for serious pain or swelling. Online booking is intended for non-urgent questions and visits.
