I had 8 amalgam fillings from the early-mid 60's replaced by composites in 1999. Two of them have cracked the whole tooth and another one has come out. I'm reluctant to get the one refilled with composite material. Should I get it filled with amalgam?

Probably. Short of going to gold, amalgam over the years has one of the highest durability of filling materials used by dentists. And that is from my former brother-in-law, a dentist for the last 15-20 years.

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No.

Mercury fillings are bad. Mmkay?

I had 3 amalgam fillings that lasted for about 15 years, and they were drilled out to be replaced with composite. The composite looks 100% better, and I endured a brimstone-esque flavor for over a week when the amalgam @#$%& was removed, as well as being exposed to hella amounts of metal shavings. I don't care if the composites fail early, they will only be replaced with composite - that mercury laden dust cloud probably shortened my life.

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Le poète doit vivre beaucoup, vivre dans tous les sens. - Verlaine

Dental_amalgam_controversy

[en.wikipedia.org]

I hear that being exposed to the dangerous nuclear powered electromagnetic radiation from that fiery looking thing in the sky is dangerous too. And there's that whole DiHydrogen Oxide chemical that has polluted this whole planet...

I had the amalgams removed for health reasons. My MD suggested it.

Do composites normally fail that often? Could the dentist who put them in have done it wrong?

As the wikipedia article points out, the position that they are a health concern is only a minority position, and over a period of over 150 years has only had a few studies show any indication of a problem. In most cases there are multiple studies showing the opposite.

As for failing, yes composites can normally fail that often. No need for there to have been any improper procedure by the dentist who put them in. There have been improvements in the materials used, but even now for other than smaller restorations of back teeth, composites are mostly recommended for front teeth. How long they last is dependent on their size, location and how a person chews.

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In another 10 years they will find that composites cause cancer in rats.
Mercury, silver, tin and copper are natural. Composites are not.

Quote
cbelt3
And there's that whole DiHydrogen Oxide chemical that has polluted this whole planet...

Actually Dihydrogen Monoxide "DHMO"
I hear that crap is the most corrosive stuff on this planet!!
Deadly as hell!!
Some more info.:
[www.dhmo.org]
Snippet.:
"What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?

Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:

Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
Contributes to soil erosion.
Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect."

BGnR

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"Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto! You're beautiful!"
"If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster."
"Near the day of Purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky."
"A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky, which could burn the land and boil the oceans."

> Mercury, silver, tin and copper are natural. Composites are not.

You're funny!

Cyanide is natural, too.

Good God Man, Don't ever let it mix with Sodium and Chlorine!

Both my grandfathers had amalgam fillings. And they lived to be 93 and 94. You mean those fillings killed them- and they could have lived to be over 100 ? Damn dentists..

And Uranium is natural, too. And molten lava. And large mean dogs.

Seriously, life is gonna kill you. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Go for the GOLD!!!! outlasts humans in dental work.

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bradsdad
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Also consider that you're getting older & your teeth are getting more brittle. It's entirely possible that they would've broken no matter what they were filled with.

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I got two gold inlays from my brother when he was in Dental school back in early 1980s. They still look like new. And heck, they could probably fetch a decent dollar on the gold market today too!

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bradsdad
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Racer X
Good God Man, Don't ever let it mix with Sodium and Chlorine!

If you do..... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS!!!!!




Rubics Cube for the INSANE!!!

There is likely more danger from a broken compact fluorescent light bulb with its mercury than your amalgam filling leeching mercury into your body...

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bradsdad
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I thought TimeCube was Rubics Cube for the insane.

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Amalgam is better for durability. Composite looks better and may have improved since 1999. I know they are x-ray transparent now so they can see what is happening under the filling. They weren't earlier. You shouldn't use composite for a large filing. Hope you have a good dentist that levels with you and isn't a seller.

I work for 30 dentists (50 over the years) and there is a real range of ability and quality. Some are sellers of treatments you don't really need.

Go for the gold. You'll look like a pirate which will be perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Of course if you'd rather look like a 21st century professional then you'll want to stick with composite.

Gold is good for areas that are not visible in your smile and you are concerned about lasting quality. No pirates here.

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bradsdad
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