Why might a patient want to change their fillings?
In the past fillings have been made from Amalgam which has elements of the toxin mercury. Whilst there is little evidence to suggest that there are negative impacts on patients’ health through the use of this material, with today’s knowledge and modern advances within the dentistry world there are safer alternatives available eliminating the risk. For patients that previously had silver fillings applied to their teeth, the switch from SIlver to white fillings in Harley Street may put their mind at ease and provide a more cosmetically appealing solution.
Replacing the fillings – the positive impact.
When considering changing previous dental work, the most important thing to consider is how will this improve your oral hygiene and overall health. Whilst there is currently no concrete link between the negative impact of the toxin mercury within fillings, this does not mean that in years to come there won’t be any. Therefore having the choice whether to keep the current fillings with the knowledge that a potentially life altering substance is used within them or having the ability to essentially upgrade to a 100% safer option is of high importance.
Whilst not life threatening or detrimental to the mouth, another positive aspect to switching from Silver to white fillings in Harley Street is on a cosmetic level. White fillings are able to blend in within the surrounding colours of the natural teeth enabling the patient to smile with confidence and a cosmetically pleasing set of teeth. In some cases, the less cosmetically pleasing, silver filling can leave a patient feeling self conscious and cause confidence issues in different aspects of their life. This is something that can be avoided and therefore seeking out options which would suit the individual best is of a top priority.
Reasons to keep the silver fillings.
There is a saying which mentions why fix something which isn’t broken. This can be considered when thinking about silver fillings. For many years Amalgam has been the material used for fillings and it has proved to be durable, long-lasting and sturdy. By removing the current silver filling and replacing it with a white one an element of damage can occur to the area and in turn trigger tooth sensitivity problems. Whilst this usually resolves itself within a few weeks there are cases which have had the problem ongoing for years.
Whilst replacing Silver to white fillings in Harley Street may be cosmetically appealing as with all treatments and procedures the removal of the fillings could potentially trigger a series of complications. This could include infections within the tooth which in turn go on to require root canal treatment or should the tooth become damaged a crown or bridge may be required creating further dental work.
As there are many factors both for and against the filling replacement it is important that the necessary research is carried out in advance. All dental treatments and procedures, including the ones mentioned in this article have a variety of potential risks. We therefore encourage all our patients to seek further information and advice from their local dental team.