Dental Dictionary
Amalgams were a commonly used dental filling used for over 150 years. They fill the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed. It is a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal. Currently, dental amalgams are composed of 43% to 54% mercury; the remaining powder is made up of silver, tin, copper and zinc. The use of amalgam has declined in recent years due to lingering controversy regarding the detrimental health effects from mercury. Over time the amalgam corrodes and leaks, which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is often times a source of embarrassment for the patient. Dr. Chernin does not use Amalgams in her New York City office as a concern for patient’s health. Instead Forever Teeth uses composite fillings, which is a tooth-colored material.
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