Torrance Dentist Uses Safe Alternatives to Traditional Fillings

TORRANCE, California – Torrance dentist Dr. Robert Mondavi uses composite fillings for tooth cavities, which are generally considered to be safer than traditional "silver" amalgam fillings. Silver fillings contain a silver-tin alloy along with 50% liquid mercury – a highly toxic heavy metal responsible for brain damage, sensory impairment, and implicated in certain childhood developmental disorders, including autism.

Not everyone believes that silver amalgam fillings are dangerous. The American Dental Association, for example, holds that silver amalgam fillings are a "safe, durable and cost-effective material that dentists have used in tooth restorations for more than 150 years." However, it is a known fact that friction on the surface of the filling, such as when chewing, causes mercury vapor to be released. This mercury vapor, in turn, may be absorbed by the lungs and make its way into the blood stream, where it will eventually work its way into the kidneys, brain, and liver.

Disadvantages of Silver Amalgam Fillings

No amount of mercury is good for the human body. Even though the American Dental Association claims that silver amalgam fillings are safe because the mercury binds to the other metals, others in the dental field feel that silver fillings should be phased out in favor of fillings that do not contain heavy metals.

Besides the health disadvantages, silver fillings are not nearly as attractive as the composite resin fillings, which are tooth-colored and nearly unnoticeable. Furthermore, the mercury within the silver fillings expands and contracts depending upon temperature – much like the mercury within a thermometer – and this constant expansion and contraction can eventually cause further damage to the tooth. Over time, the tooth filled with the silver amalgam is likely to fracture, leading the patient to require the much more complex procedure of adding a crown to the tooth.

The silver fillings are also susceptible to corrosion and leakage. As they leak, new tooth decay develops beneath the filling, further damaging the tooth. The leakage can also make the tooth appear gray in color instead of its natural white.

For adult patients who already have silver fillings, one option is to remove these fillings and replace them with composite fillings. Replacing silver fillings is a good choice for everyone, but it is especially important for women who are considering having children. There is a theory that mercury fillings can affect the baby while still in uterus, leading to some of the childhood disorders mentioned above.

A Torrance Dental Office That Uses Composite Fillings

For all the reasons mentioned above, Dr. Robert Mondavi’s Blue Sky Family Dental Group uses primarily resin composite fillings. As a Torrance cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mondavi appreciates that composite fillings are not only safer, but much more attractive. Although it’s true that composite fillings do not last as long as silver amalgam fillings and will eventually need to be replaced, this is a minor inconvenience compared to the many disadvantages of silver fillings.

Especially when it comes to protecting children from the potential dangers of silver fillings, Dr. Mondavi feels that it’s better to be safe than sorry. If there’s a chance that the mercury contained within silver fillings might harm a child, Dr. Mondavi is one Torrance dentist / Torrance orthodontist who believes in avoiding silver amalgam fillings altogether.

To learn more about the Blue Sky Family Dental Group, or if you would like to schedule a complimentary examination with Dr. Robert Mondavi at his practice, located at 17311 Yukon Ave. Torrance, CA 90504. Or, visit his Web site www.robertmondavidds.com or call: (310) 363.7126.

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