Amalgam fillings
may contain mercury, and are often referred to
as metal fillings. Their safety has been in question
for a number of years due to concerns over the
absorption of elemental mercury contributing to
several diseases, including Alzheimer's,
Multiple
Sclerosis, Dementia, and
Arthritis.
Amalgam fillings are a mixture of liquid mercury,
small pieces of silver, and other metals such as
copper, tin and zinc. Though this type of filling
is strong and durable, they can compromise the
integrity of teeth because they require the dentist
to cut the tooth in a way that weakens the tooth
during function (like when chewing). Also, because
they are metal, it is difficult to see tooth decay
beneath them on a dental X-RAY as the metal “blocks
out” the decay.
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