Ask Dr. Rye: Are amalgam fillings truly unhealthy if you get them for multiple molars?

Will the mercury secretion be too much if I get amalgam filling for many molars? Will I be better off with composite fillings? My dentist says that composite fillings don’t last as long; lasting usually for about 5 years, can I replace them after that with no damage to dental and general health? Should I replace existing amalgam fillings with composite?

Your dentist’s evaluation of composite durability is, sadly, still out there. It is a typical analysis by dentists relatively unskilled it composite placement. No offense meant. Done correctly, composites not only last 10, 15, 20+ years, they also preserve more tooth structure, cause less fractures, and result in fewer full coverage crowns down the road, than silver fillings. The real problem is that most dentists are not effectively trained in composite restoration procedures. There exist several effective post graduate training avenues for this type of advanced dentistry. Your dentist must search the knowledge out, however. It won’t magically knock at his/her door.