Silver Fillings Are the Best Thing Ever… Unless Mercury Is Killing Us All
When we asked dentists about amalgam restorations, 66% said they tell patients that they have other cosmetic options. Another 22% tell patients about potentially safer options; many of these dentists no longer use any amalgams at all. However, 12% say they prefer placing amalgams.
Here are some dentist comments on the subject:
- “They were great 20th century restorations. Luckily, we are in the 21st century.” (Illinois dentist)
- “Amalgam fillings last much longer than composite. It is a travesty to not offer amalgams at all.” (Canada dentist)
- “I stopped doing amalgams 24 years ago. I would not place something in a patient’s mouth that the government does not allow in their sewer systems.” (Pediatric dentist)
- “It’s a safe, cost-effective restoration. If it’s banned, the cost of dentistry would increase and the poor would be the most to suffer.” (New York dentist)
- “They crack teeth and look ugly.” (Texas dentist)
- “Mercury poison causes mercury poison symptoms. To my knowledge, amalgam fillings never have. They try to blame amalgams on every disease under the sun. Why do people without fillings get the same diseases?” (Kentucky dentist)
- “It should be outlawed.” (Nevada dentist)
- “If you had a tooth-colored filling with the same characteristics as amalgam, few would use composite.” (Illinois dentist)
- “It is malpractice to tell the average patient who has no allergies to the components in amalgam that these restorations are a threat to their health. Patients have a right to a choice, but that choice needs to be based not on the dentists’ bias but on facts.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
- “Problem is: why should we have raw mercury in our offices? If there is a spill you need a Haz Mat team to clean it up and a risk to the staff with possible legal consequences.” (California dentist)
Read the complete dental amalgam survey results or post your own comments


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