3 Big Reasons to Replace Your Metal Fillings

Metallic restorations do have their merits, as dentists once offered them for years and years. They can keep cavities from worsening, protect teeth from infections, etc. Even so, you should ultimately replace your metal fillings soon; you’re better off with tooth-colored versions. Your DFW dentist will even show evidence for this claim, proving you should make the switch. To that end, read on to learn three big reasons to replace your metal fillings quickly.

Why Switch Out Your Metal Fillings?

While metal fillings can be somewhat effective, they have fairly severe drawbacks. You’d do well to switch them out for the following reasons:

They’re Attention-Grabbing

Metal fillings are inherently gaudy and eye-catching to onlookers. Given their bright and reflective surfaces, they don’t blend well with the patient’s smile and draw unwanted attention. This issue is only partially manageable, too; you can only hope metal fillings in back teeth won’t show as much. Otherwise, the people around you will likely notice your tooth’s unnatural shine.

They’re a Source of Allergies

Beyond looking bad, metal fillings can also cause allergic reactions in some patients. (This outcome is especially likely when the used material includes mercury, copper, silver, or tin.) Such reactions vary in symptoms, but they often manifest as oral lesions and itchy rashes.

They’re Fairly Toxic

The most concerning downside to most metal fillings is that they’re toxic, incorporating harmful mercury. Current research even shows mercury can cause severe health effects. For instance, a 2016 University of Georgia study finds that people with over eight fillings have a high risk of “mercury toxicity.” The latter occurs when mercury in the blood leads to brain, heart, kidney, and immune system damage.

What Makes Tooth-Colored Ones Better?

Patients would do well to replace their metal fillings with tooth-colored ones. Unlike metallic kinds, these latter restorations have major perks like:

• Gorgeous Results – Tooth colored fillings match your enamel’s shade, thus blending seamlessly with your other teeth. They won’t draw unwanted attention to your grin!
• A Healthier Smile – Lacking any metal, tooth-colored fillings won’t do any harm to your body. They treat cavities, tooth decay, and even smile flaws without side effects.
• Less Invasive Care – Dentists can only place metal fillings by removing some of your natural tooth structure. In contrast, tooth-colored ones are biocompatible and leave more of your pearly whites intact.

Since you should replace your metal fillings as soon as possible, don’t delay. Switch them out for superior restorations at your earliest opportunity!

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry is based in multiple DFW locations, including the Love Field area. Led by many general dentists and specialists, our practice seeks to provide each patient with affordable, effective, and caring dental work. We thus offer a wide range of smile-related treatments, ranging from simple checkups and cleanings to tooth-colored fillings and prosthetic teeth. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us at our website or by phone at (214)-350-5333.