FDA Issues Warning Regarding Dental Amalgam

Dr. Rye no longer uses amalgam (metal or silver fillings) to treat decay and almost always recommends replacement of the amalgams with a composite material less likely to expand and compromise tooth structure. The composite material Dr. Rye uses is also tooth color and barely visible to the naked eye. Consistant with Dr. Rye’s opinion that the healthiest smiles are amalgam-free, the FDA recently re-classified dental amalgams and its component parts from a Class I (low risk) to a Class II (moderate risk). Amalgam fillings contain mercury and a powder alloy. Elemental mercury has been associated with adverse health effects at high exposures; however the mercury level released by the dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm to patients. The FDA warns against the use of dental amalgams in patients with mercury allergy. If you have any additional questions about dental amalgams, please contact us.