Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What does the FDA say about silver fillings?
The recent expected update from the FDA regarding the status of dental amalgam (silver filling) was released yesterday. There has been controversy for decades about the mercury in these fillings. Some have been very adamant about the mercury vapor causing all sorts of many illnesses and diseases. In fact the dentist who really helped form my interest for me to go into dentistry, later became very anti-amalgam (it's some sort of ironic twist that I actually have a couple of silver fillings placed by that dentist before he went on the Anti-amalgam bandwagon).
I have found that good dentistry is generally healthful dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry creates smiles that people love. When you love something, you take care of it better. So, cosmetic dentistry is actually more-healthful for your teeth than regular dentistry. In fact, I'm sure cosmetic dentistry kept my patient Bob from going on to losing some teeth and having some sort of denture.
The FDA ruled as expected: they placed dental amalgam and dental mercury in a moderate risk class. (big deal). This may give them grounds to regulate it more in the future, but for now, there is really no big change for dentistry or patients. There's a lot of science and research to consider. In the end, it's best to discuss with your dentist exactly what will be right for you. In our Denver cosmetic dentistry office, we spend time with people to find out what their concerns are and spend the time to craft the right solutions. Solutions that create results and solve problems (and look great!).
The beauty of healthcare here in Denver, is that you have a choice of what you put in your teeth. And, I think it might as well bypass the controversy and just create something to smile about!
Labels: Cosmetic Dentistry, dental amalgam, Denver cosmetic dentistry, Denver dentist, Dr. Scott Greenhalgh DDS, FDA
posted by
Dr. Scott
at
3:56 PM
Monday, July 27, 2009
Is this the end of Silver Fillings?
Tomorrow we are expecting a ruling by the FDA on the classification for "encapsulated amalgam" (that is a cartridge that holds the liquid Mercury and the powder made from other elements). There has been controversy following amalgam for many years. And too often, it becomes the whipping boy for health extremists. In my experience of over 20 years in dentistry, I cannot say I personally have observed or treated someone who has suffered some ill or neurological effect from having silver fillings. 
Amalgam has been around for more than 100 years. That was the main material that I was taught to fill teeth with in 1988. Personally, it can work great, but I stopped using it over 10 years ago. There is simply no way to make it part of cosmetic dentistry. 
Amalgam has been around for more than 100 years. That was the main material that I was taught to fill teeth with in 1988. Personally, it can work great, but I stopped using it over 10 years ago. There is simply no way to make it part of cosmetic dentistry. My personal belief is that amalgam persists because it is a fairly easy and forgiving material to put into teeth. In general, you can be a very average dentist or dental assistant and fix a cavity with silver filling. In my opinion, it takes greater skill and ability to place white fillings that produce both a beautiful and comfortable result. You just simply can't have a bad day with white (or composite) fillings because it is a demanding material.
Beyond fillings, lies the realm of porcelain restorations. There are many times that NO filling materials (silver amalgam or white composite) are strong enough. In my cosmetic dentistry practice in Denver, we often use porcelain inlays or onlays to repair teeth beautifully. These restorations can be invisible even to the trained eye and can repair a tooth that has had a larger cavity for many years.
So... we'll see what the FDA says tomorrow.
Actually, in my practice it won't make any difference, since I don't use it anyway. I'll just stick to the great resources that I already have for cosmetic dentistry (visit our smile gallery). We'll just keep on making back and front teeth look natural and smiles looking great!
Labels: amalgam fillings, before and after photos, composite fillings, Cosmetic Dentistry, Denver cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Scott Greenhalgh DDS, FDA, silver fillings, Smile gallery, white fillings
posted by
Dr. Scott
at
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3190 South Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300 | Lakewood, CO 80227
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