What are amalgam Fillings?

Amalgam fillings, also called silver fillings because of their silver color and content, have been used for a very long time(over 150 years) and for a long time they were considered the material of choice for fillings done in the molar areas, where the chewing forces were very strong and the material used needed to be able to withstand them. Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% elemental mercury, which when mixed with other metals like silver, tin, and copper, the resulting alloy will harden into a silver filling.

Should I be worried about silver fillings?

The short answer is NO! We do not place silver fillings in our office, but not because they are not safe, so do not be misled into thinking that they are not safe. Both the FDA and the ADA have published papers reiterating the safety of silver amalgam as a restorative material and the lack of scientific evidence that it has any health risks. This is a quote from the ADA:
"Dental amalgam is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness. Now that I've said that, dental amalgam is being used less and less today, and our office does not use it (silver fillings)."

Which dental insurance does your office take?

We take any PPO dental insurance. HMO dental insurance restricts you to a list of dentists that have agreed to take their fee schedule and we do not take HMO's. We also are "in network" with several PPO insurance programs. If you have questions about your insurance, or would like to find out if we take your particular insurance plan, please call our office at (561) 968 6022. Thanks.

How long do implants last?

Dental implants are very successful procedures in dentistry today, with long term clinical success rates are around 95%. Dental implants are designed to be permanent, but there are many factors that can influence their long term succcess, such as the patient maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding deleterious habits such as clenching and grinding, not smoking, maintaining a regular schedule of exams and cleanings as recommended by the dentist. Health problems can also affect the longevity of implants, diabetes, osteoporosis, blood dyscrasias among others, and medicines such as corticosteroids, and cancer drugs can also influence their long term success. In a healthy individual with good oral hygiene the long term success of implants is expected.

How can I tell if I can have Dental Implants?

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for Implants is to talk to your dentist about it. Here are a few guidelines that you can use to determine if you could have implants: First and foremost, you need to have no health problems or conditions that would be a contraindication for implants. You could also be a candidate for implants if you are missing one or several teeth, or you are going to loose one or more teeth. If you have loose dentures and would like them to be better supported or held in place better, you could use implants to hold or support your denture. For more detailed information about dental implants, please visit My Page On Dental Implants.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants,please take two minutes to view this short video on the subject:

If you have any additional questions, please call our office at 561 968 6022