I have two amalgam fillings that are covering about 70% of their teeth. I wanted to switch them out for the white fillings because these are so unattractive. However, my dentist said that amalgam stains teeth and the results would not be as attractive as I was hoping. What about the amalgam stains the teeth? Is there anything that can remove these stains? Will the white fillings be better for my teeth as far as durability?
Eden
Dear Eden,
While it is true that amalgam fillings can discolor your teeth, they will still look significantly better with the white composite fillings. Your dentist’s comments sound more like someone who is not comfortable placing the composite fillings so he is deflecting by trying to turn you off the idea. The procedure for composite fillings are different than what your dentist is used to with amalgam fillings. Rather than pressuring your dentist to do the switch in the fillings, I would make sure you go to a different dentist to get this done. There are horror stories about what can happen if your dentist gets this wrong.
I have an additional concern here. You mentioned that your fillings cover about 70% of your teeth. Once you get past 30%, you are supposed to have a dental crown placed. This is safest for the tooth and gives me yet another reason to think you are not being served by the best dentist.
Whether you end up with crowns or replacing your fillings with the composites, you need a different dentist. My suggestion is you either see a mercury-free dentist or a holistic dentist. Either one of them will know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. This is important in order to protect you from the mercury that is the main ingredient in amalgam fillings. I would start there.
I hope this helps you.
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