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Los Dental fillings made of silver amalgam They were more common a few years ago. It is normal to see that people of a certain age have some scars or teeth covered with a layer of silver that is used to repair a tooth damaged by cavities.
But the material from which they are made has fallen into disuse, which has caused concern among those who still have them.
In Spain, the European Union has agreed to ban the use of dental amalgam in fillings for children under 15, pregnant and lactating women from July 1, 2018. due to the mercury content in the material. This does not mean that it is dangerous.
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If you have any questions about dental fillings, consult your dentist.
The technique consists in eliminating the decay of the tooth and the gap that remains is filled with the filling material, which is traditionally known as a filling, which can be made with different materials.
“Traditionally it was done using metal amalgams, because of their resistance and durability, although because of their color they were not very aesthetic, but science is advancing and amalgams were practically out of use years ago, replaced by composites, fillings based on resin materials. , which adhere better to the tooth and imitate its color,” describes Instituto Integral Odontológico SA.
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Such traditional dental fillings were made from amalgam, an alloy of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Mercury is a heavy metal that can be toxic, but the amounts used in fillings are very small. But amalgam fillings are hermetically sealed, which prevents the release of mercury.
Is it dangerous to use it?
There is no proven risk of having silver amalgam on your teeth. Although research has been carried out in this direction, to date, There is no scientific evidence that dental amalgam causes any harm to the body, except for patients allergic to some of its components.
What has worried people is that mercury is present among the elements, but it is trapped in the composition that forms it, so it does not cause any health problems.
What is believed is that the filling wears off and a minimal amount of mercury can be released in the form of a vapor that the body will inhale in some cases.
“Knowing this, it makes sense to question whether the presence of amalgam in the mouth is safe. However, some studies have concluded that there is no reason to worry about amalgam fillings, as the low mercury level of absorbed by the body is not sufficient to cause toxic effects,” states Colgate in an article on the matter.
The ban, at least in Spain, is due to compliance with the United Nations Environment Programme’s Minamata Convention on Mercury, signed by 140 countries, to replace mercury with other materials and to remove this material from food products. often used.
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Today, the most common dental fillings are made from composite resin, a plastic material that bonds to the natural tooth. It looks more like a tooth and has no mercury.
If you have any concerns about the risks associated with dental fillings, talk to your dentist.
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