There is a huge amount of controversy surrounding dental practitioners’ use of amalgam fillings and the presence of mercury in them. Though the toxic nature of mercury is well known, there is no documented proof that the contamination of patients who have amalgams containing mercury suffer ill-effects. The toxicity estimates vary between infinitesimally small amounts to substantial ones, but amalgam fillings have been alleged to have caused a variety of ailments like autoimmune disorders and psychological troubles.Dentists will continue to use these types of amalgams until such time as reliable research can be provided to back up these claims. No world health organization or dentist has found any reason to be alarmed about the health of their patients who have amalgam fillings. Amalgam fillings are low-cost, easy to administer, and resilient in the face of stress, even in the hardworking molar teeth. Today, though, composite fillings are available without the mercury content and provide a more aesthetic and just as reliable restoration.

Other shortcomings of using amalgam fillings are the larger amount of tooth material that has to be drilled out to correctly fit them in, and the attention they draw to a patient’s teeth because of their dark grey color. Patients have reported a greater sensitivity of the area immediately following the treatment but this gradually fades within a few days. Although, in contrast to the ease of application of amalgam fillings, composite fillings require the tooth to be treated with adhesives and resins and then sealed with special lighting equipment. Because amalgams are much less complicated, their ease of application and durability makes them more appealing to patients who do not like to spend time in the dentist’s chair. A patient should always consult the options with their dentist before deciding on a course of treatment.

A normal oral check-up usually reveals whether or not a patient requires fillings. Dentists usually advise their patients on appropriate treatment options following taking and evaluation of an x-ray done. If expenses are a problem, patients should go with amalgam fillings, but if looks are of greater importance, then composite fillings which closely resemble natural teeth are a much better alternative. The dentist will assess the bite pattern of the patient and if the patient has a strong bite and a habit of jaw clenching and teeth grinding then the dentist may suggest an amalgam filling instead of a composite filling. Another important factor in making a decision about which type of filling to have is that dental insurance providers do not offer a full coverage on the more costly composite fillings whereas the less expensive amalgam fillings are given coverage.

At the end of the day, factors like the patients’ financial condition and their restorative requirements will have to be discussed with the dentist before making a final decision.