Magok Dental_1. Amalgam fillings: Is it still okay to have them? A realistic answer to concerns about mercury

Hello.

So that small changes in your mouth

don’t turn into unnecessary worry,

Magok Seouldia Dental Clinic is here to calmly talk about only what you need right now.

For the MZ generation,

this may make you think, “What is this about?”

But for people in their 40s and older, there is a familiar scene.

When you look at a tooth that was treated for cavities before,

you see a material that looks black.

That is

[amalgam fillings]. At first, it may have looked silver... But at some point, it turns black. It can even look like a cavity.

On top of that,

when you hear, “It contains mercury,”

worries about whether it might be bad for your body naturally start to grow.

Magok Dental_Amalgam Filling

So you search online.

Then...

even a perfectly fine tooth can seem problematic,

it feels like it must be removed right away,

and you may end up feeling even more anxious.

So in this series,

we will go over amalgam

step by step.

Today, for the first story,

let’s comfortably go through

[misunderstandings and facts about amalgam]. What kind of material is amalgam?

Magok Dental_Amalgam

Amalgam is

a metal material made by mixing

mercury, silver, copper, tin, and others.

At first, it is soft like clay,

so it can be packed to fit the shape of the tooth,

and over time, it hardens like stone.

Because of these properties,

treatment can be completed quickly,

and it has been used in dentistry for over 100 years

as a filling material that withstands chewing forces well. Why was it used so much?

Magok Dental_Molar Amalgam

Because it is covered by health insurance,

the cost burden is relatively low.

And even in molars that experience strong chewing forces,

it holds up well.

Think of it as a material that does not give up easily,

like dried squid or short ribs.

The procedure itself is also relatively simple,

so treatment time tends to be short.

It is a bit like a “quick repair job” that finishes fast.

In short,

treatment is quick,

it is strong against chewing forces,

and the cost burden is low.

Thanks to these three advantages,

amalgam has long been widely used

like a dependable workhorse in dental treatment. Why is it used less these days?

Recently, the use of amalgam

has been gradually declining.

There are three reasons.

1. It is noticeable in color

Magok Dental_Discolored Filling Material

When you smile, the shiny silver color shows,

and over time it turns black.

A treatment that ends up looking like a cavity

creates an irony.

2. Gaps can form over time

Magok Dental_Filling Material Contraction

Over time, amalgam has the property of shrinking

very slightly.

At first, it is like a puzzle piece that fits perfectly,

but as time passes, it can feel a little loose.

The gap may be so small that it is hard to see,

but if bacteria get in through that space,

cavities can quietly start again,

which is why regular checkups are important.

3. More natural-looking materials have appeared

Magok Dental_Resin

Materials such as resin and ceramic

are similar to tooth color

and bond better.

In the competition for a natural look,

amalgam has fallen behind a little. Should we worry about mercury?

Magok Dental_Solid Amalgam

The mercury inside a finished amalgam filling

is not floating around separately;

it is in a stable form firmly bound with the metal.

In other words,

it is not a situation where liquid mercury is inside your mouth.

There are studies suggesting that very small amounts may be released

when chewing or eating hot food,

but the current medical view is that the amount of exposure in daily life

is not at a level harmful to health.

There is another point that may put you at ease.

Magok Dental_Capsule-Type Amalgam

In Korea,

only capsule-type dental amalgam is used

in order to reduce the possibility of mercury exposure.

So if you have amalgam,

you do not need to worry excessively.

However, for children or pregnant women,

where reducing exposure is preferable,

other materials may be chosen.

In conclusion,

if it is being maintained well without problems,

it is not inherently a dangerous condition.

What matters more than the material

is the current condition.

That said, if the amalgam is broken, gaps have formed,

or decay has developed around it,

the management method or treatment direction may change,

so regular checkups are recommended. How to remember today’s content

Amalgam is a durable filling material

that has been used for over 100 years.

It was widely used as a quick and economical treatment method,

and the reason its use has declined these days

is more about aesthetics and advances in materials than about risk.

The mercury is in a stable form bound to the metal,

so it is not something to worry about greatly in everyday life.

However, depending on the condition of the amalgam,

replacement may need to be considered,

so it is a good idea to have it checked regularly at the dental clinic.

Magok Seouldia Dental Clinic

Rather than becoming unnecessarily anxious about amalgam,

it is safest to check the current condition

and decide on the treatment direction when needed.

Instead of vague worry,

it is better to assess the current condition

and choose what is right for your teeth.

In the next post,

we will continue with a realistic standard for

[when to consider replacing old amalgam].

[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgeries and procedures. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so you should decide on surgery (or treatment) after sufficient consultation with a skilled medical team. ]

[Magok Seouldia Dental Clinic Amalgam Series]

1. Amalgam safety

2. When amalgam replacement is needed

3. Causes of amalgam discoloration

4. Treatment when replacing amalgam