Should You Have Your Amalgam (Silver) Fillings Removed?

If you have “silver” fillings in your mouth, you’re well aware of how they affect your smile. Shiny, right!? If you’ve ever thought about having them removed, and had any concerns as to whether it was the right thing to do, the safe thing to do, or even an affordable thing to do, we’re here to help. We’ll cover these questions, and a few other common concerns that tend to pop up when the dentist is asked: “Can you do anything about all that metal in my mouth?”

How much does it cost?

The cost to remove an old amalgam filling and replace it with resin, varies. But, you should expect it to fall somewhere between $115 and $300. Here’s an interesting online dental cost calculator you could play around with to get a feel for what you could be looking at in your market. 

Are there risks involved in removing fillings?

Yes. Generally speaking, if an amalgam filling remains strong and free of decay, the Food and Drug Administration recommends it be left alone. Disturbing a successful filling means a greater portion of the tooth would need to be removed, and working on an amalgam filling can also exposing you to mercury vapor you could otherwise avoid. 

But, which is safer? Amalgam or Resin?

This is the perennial question. With amalgam, there is concern over the metals used, and with resin it's the BPA. The American Dental Association has information regarding the safety and efficacy of both solutions, so if this issue concerns you, you can get an accurate understanding of the risks by clicking the links above. Coming to a conclusion that’s right for you is something only you can do. So, educate yourself as much as possible, using the input of your physician and well-researched medical sites to help you get there.

When it really comes down to it, the decision as to whether to leave in or switch out amalgam fillings with resin is up to your doctor. Your X-rays, the health of your gum tissue, and your teeth and bone structure will inform your dentist as to what’s best for you. After all, your teeth as unique as you are!

Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Any Better for Your Health?

If you’re a smoker looking to quit, electronic cigarettes may look to be the perfect panacea; providing the familiar look and feel of a cigarette without the drawbacks of tobacco. Understanding how accurate this viewpoint is, however, is the question you should ask yourself, and given the product’s lack of real history in the marketplace, getting a conclusive answer will take time. The best approach, then, is to get the facts as they exist now, so you can make as informed a decision as is possible. We’d like to help.

What We Know Now:

• The best air for your lungs is clean air. Perhaps Dr. Tim McAfee, of the Center For Disease Control, says it best: “We have to rely on what we know of toxicology, that what comes out of e-cigarettes is less toxic, but it’s more toxic than breathing clean air.
• We don’t want our kids smoking. While electronic cigarettes can be purchased without nicotine, most still contain this addictive chemical compound. Candy flavored “vapors” as they’re known, and “skins” that allow consumers to change the look of an e-cigarette have raised concern that these products are being marketed to children. As a result, since there is no federal age restriction on the purchase of e-cigarettes, nearly every state in the union has passed their own laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
• E-cigarettes can play a part in smoking cessation programs. Electronic cigarettes have only been on the market for 10 years, so research studies surrounding their efficacy in helping people quit smoking are not large in number. That said, the research is promising when compared to traditional cessation products such as nicotine patches.
• We need more research. One difficulty in understanding the benefits, or potential harm, of e-cigarettes lies in the diversity of the product. Because it is unregulated, and hundreds of companies manufacture these products (including major tobacco companies), there is currently no adequate way to measure their composition, nor effects. There are just too many variables. For that reason, the attorneys general from 40 states each signed a single letter to the FDA in September of 2013 requesting oversight of the products. Further research is indeed the key to clarifying the debate around e-cigarettes.

As it is with any contentious discussion, particularly one centered on smoking, there are many differences of opinion. Whatever your personal viewpoint, please do your research and understand the risks. As the old saying goes: “Caveat emptor.”