Amalgam fillings, common before the use of white fillings, are 50% mercury. Larger fillings may even contain as much mercury as a thermometer. This chemical vaporizes easily at room temperature, turning into a odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas. As a result, those with traditional amalgam fillings may continuously inhale this vapor without even knowing it. This is extremely alarming, as research from around the world indicates that this sort of continual inhalation may lead to mercury poisoning.

Scientists at the University of Milan assert that many studies have confirmed that mercury from amalgam fillings does enter human tissue after being used to fill a cavity (i). They go on to say that the amount of mercury that enters the brain, thyroid, kidney, and pituitary gland is proportional to the number of silver fillings a person has. In other words, the more amalgam fillings you have, the more odorless mercury vapor you inhale.Not just Italians worry about the mercury toxicity of fillings, either. The World Health Organization has concluded that traditional amalgam dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources combined.

In fact, mercury is a poison. This poison can adversely affect many bodily processes including the urinary, cardiac, respiratory, immune, and digestive systems. Dr. Gary Null and Dr. Martin Feldman of New York published a report that offers irrefutable evidence that mercury from traditional silver fillings is absorbed by the human body at a rate of 10-50 times the safe limit set by the U.S. Public Health Service (ii). The evidence paints a very clear picture: Mercury is poisonous, abundant in amalgam fillings, and absorbed by the human body at a tremendously high rate. Amalgam filling removal is the safest way to rid your body of mercury and the health risks associated with silver fillings.

Today, dental implants offer an alternative cosmetic solution. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots, and provide a strong base for either permanent or removable replacement teeth. Here is a quick look at some of their pros and cons .

They offer longevity. Implants are very durable and designed to last many years. If taken care of properly, they will last a lifetime. They improve speech and appearance. Removable bridges and dentures are usually unstable and loose, causing you to mumble and slur your words. But dental implants are very natural looking and functional. Permanent ones not only look and feel like your own teeth, but they also give you the freedom to speak without fear your teeth will slip.

They make eating easier. Chewing is difficult with dentures that slide. Since implants are designed to fuse with bone, they function like your own teeth and make eating your favorite foods enjoyable again. They support good oral health. Because an implant doesn’t require altering nearby teeth to support it, more of your own teeth are left intact. This has a significant effect on your oral health in the long run. Oral hygiene is easier too, since individual implants grant easier access between teeth.

They are the most expensive dental surgery available. To achieve a great result, this type of cosmetic dentistry can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.They involve a very time-consuming procedure if many implants are placed.They are not a good solution for people who don’t recover quickly or are unable to deal with varying degrees of pain.