For many years, a material called silver amalgam was commonly used to fill dental cavities. While it can effectively stop tooth decay from worsening, it certainly has its downsides. For example, it has a dark color that clashes with the natural hue of teeth. Plus, it may expand and contract with temperature changes, which can damage the surrounding enamel. Worst of all, amalgam is made up of 50% mercury! What risks does mercury pose in dentistry, and why should you choose a mercury-safe dentist? This blog post explains.
Are Amalgam Fillings Really That Bad?
Mercury is known to be a toxic material; it is associated with a range of neurological symptoms, such as headaches and muscle weakness. It may also increase the risk of certain types of cancers.
But does that mean you should run to your dentist and ask to have your mercury fillings removed? That depends.
All mercury fillings release some vapor on a daily basis, but the amount of vapor released by each filling is relatively low. If you only have one or two fillings, and you do not have any symptoms that you suspect are related to them, you may choose to leave them in place.
On the other hand, if you have a lot of fillings, are experiencing symptoms that are related to mercury exposure, or your old fillings are damaged, it would be worth consulting with a dentist about getting them removed. Or, you may choose to get them removed simply as a precautionary procedure.
Choosing the Right Dentist for Mercury Removal
Before you commit to having your old fillings removed, ask your dentist about the techniques they use for mercury removal. Without the proper precautions, removing old fillings can release a lot of mercury vapor into the air. Both you and your dental team could end up breathing it in! in fact, research from 2025 indicated that dental care workers in clinics with a high level of mercury in the air are more likely to have health problems, which are often related to the central nervous system.
That information is not meant to scare you, but it is meant to underscore the importance of choosing a dental team that uses proper safety precautions during mercury removal. For example, they may keep the fillings cool to minimize vapor release. They should also cut the fillings into smaller pieces to reduce the need for drilling. These steps, along with other safety measures like a proper contamination isolation technique, can do much to protect both you and your care team.
If you choose to get your amalgam fillings removed, mercury-safe dentistry is a must! Ask lots of questions so you can be sure that your dental team is doing all they can to minimize your exposure to harmful vapors.
Meet the Practice
At Orbis Dental Group, we take a holistic approach to oral health care. Because we prioritize the wellness of both our patients and our team, we employ strict safety protocols during the removal of old amalgam fillings. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our office in San Antonio at 210-496-1919.