{"id":1563,"date":"2026-07-23T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bearcreekfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=1563"},"modified":"2026-08-03T20:59:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:59:26","slug":"three-big-reasons-to-replace-your-metal-fillings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bearcreekfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/23\/three-big-reasons-to-replace-your-metal-fillings\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Big Reasons to Replace Your Metal Fillings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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\u2019re better off with tooth-colored versions<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Switch Out Your Metal Fillings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While metal fillings can be somewhat effective, they have fairly severe drawbacks. You\u2019d do well to switch them out for the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Attention-Grabbing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal fillings are inherently gaudy and eye-catching to onlookers. Given their bright and reflective surfaces, they don\u2019t blend well with the patient\u2019s smile and draw unwanted attention. This issue is only partially manageable, too; you can only hope metal fillings in back teeth won\u2019t show as much. Otherwise, the people around you will likely notice your tooth\u2019s unnatural shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re a Source of Allergies<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Fairly Toxic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most concerning downside to most metal fillings is that they\u2019re 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 \u201cmercury toxicity.\u201d The latter occurs when mercury in the blood leads to brain, heart, kidney, and immune system damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Makes Tooth-Colored Ones Better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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