News stories about the dangers of mercury have been on the rise in recent years. Individuals are careful to avoid or limit mercury in the foods we eat; however, many dental patients don’t realize that one of the greatest risks of exposure to this dangerous metal can be in their own mouth. Look in the mirror and open wide to check out some of your fillings. Are they silver or gray? If so, those are amalgam fillings, and are made out of many metals including mercury.

Amalgam fillings are made of various forms of metal, including up to 50 percent mercury. Mercury exposure increases when the metal is heated. Therefore, patients with metal fillings have been exposed to small amounts of toxic vapors each time they brush their teeth, chew gum, or eat food. Some of the dangers of mercury are that it can negatively affect the digestive, respiratory, immune, and urinary systems.

In recent years, dental practices have shifted away from using mercury in fillings because of the potential health risks. Now, fillings are made out of BPA free composite resin, a safe and biologically compatible material. Of course, the main benefit of these fillings is that they are safe and don’t expose patients to toxic materials, but they can also be matched to the color of your tooth. With composite fillings, the filling blends right into the tooth, making it nearly undetectable.

Dr. Peter Evans, your Williamsburg biocompatible dentist, is committed to helping protect the health of his patients through the health of their mouths. To that end, Dr. Evans uses only mercury free materials. Composite fillings are strong, durable, and last as long as metal fillings.

At Evans Dental Care, Dr. Evans and the entire team are focused on the health and wellbeing of our patients. We treat you like an individual person, not a mouth that needs to be repaired. Patients find our gentle care combined with our experience and expertise a comfort during dental procedures. If you have questions about mercury free fillings or you would like to schedule an appointment, call Evans Dental Care today.