Dental amalgam, one of the renewed tooth filling materials used in the past, has raised global concerns due to its mercury content. Recent debates and restrictions on the use of amalgam have prompted questions about its safety, environmental impact, and replacement options. Dentist London offers a wide range of alternative options to cure tooth cavities such as composite filling, inlay and onlay. Before visiting the dentist for an amalgam filling, you should gather some information about the amalgam restriction, including justifications, and precautions to resolve patient concerns and safety.
What is Amalgam Dental Filling?
For over 150 years, dental amalgam, a material composed of mercury, silver, tin, and copper; has been used to cure cavities. It is long-lasting, inexpensive, and widely used to restore molar teeth.
Dental amalgam filling stiffness can be compare with molar teeth, it can easily tolerate the biting force, but its mercury content raises serious environmental and health issues.
Why is Amalgam being phased out or banned?
Environmental issues
Mercury Pollution: When amalgam waste is generated, disposed of, or mistakenly discharged into the environment, mercury, a hazardous substance, may infiltrate the ecosystem.
Dental clinics also contribute to mercury pollution, when amalgam waste is not properly managed, and discharges into water systems. Mercury contamination, which accumulates in the food chain, has a global impact on ecosystems and human health.
Health issues
The amalgam causes health issues during placement and removal of filling, a small amount of mercury released from restoration was found tolerable according to research but can cause neurological issues on prolonged exposure. Other metals in the amalgam filling such as copper can also cause immunological problems. Some Individuals can also be allergic to amalgam metal content which can cause mucosal inflammation.
Due to these serious issues, The International Accords Mercury Minamata Convention aims to control mercury contamination and reduce its usage globally. As part of their responsibilities under this agreement, many countries have promised to phase out dental amalgam.
Current Regulations in the UK and the EU
- The EU Regulation 2017/852, implemented under the Minamata Convention, imposed restrictions on dental amalgam use.
- According to this regulation passed on July 1, 2018; Dental amalgam is not allowed in children under the age of 15, pregnant women, or lactating women unless a dentist deems it necessary.
- Phasing down by 2030: The long-term goal is to eliminate dental amalgam use by 2030.
- The British Dental Association supports these policies as part of the global effort to reduce mercury usage while providing safe and effective dental care alternatives.
How do patients proceed to get restoration filling?
Discuss with your dentist about your alternatives.
When selecting a filling material, patients should discuss with their dentist to determine the best material for their dental needs, regarding durability according to the size and location of the cavity, aesthetics, and cost.
Existing amalgam fillings.
Amalgam fillings are the less harmless or have no health hazards, when placed in a cavity and it unnecessary to remove it unless your dentist advises you to do so for clinical reasons.
Future restorations.
Mercury-free materials will become the normal for new fillings, especially for youngsters, pregnant children and lactating mothers.
Recognize the hazards.
Learn about the benefits of employing amalgam alternative materials, as well as the potential risks of mercury exposure. Find out how your dentist securely places or removes amalgam fillings and the dental office environment should be protected from harmful amalgam vapours.
Take preventive care.
Cavities can be avoided by good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Dental fillings are not required with preventive care treatment with identification of dental issues at an early stage.
Alternatives To Dental Amalgam
Modern dentistry provides various excellent alternatives to amalgam.
1. Composite resins.
Composite resin is a White filling an incredibly attractive dental filling material, that gained popularity after the amalgam ban.
It is a biocompatible material, least harmful for oral mucosa and overall systemic health.
Suitable for most restorations especially in aesthetic concern areas, although it may be less durable in big or high-stress restorations.
2. Glass-Ionomer Cements
Glass-ionomer cement produces fluoride, which helping in prevent dental caries progression into deep tooth surfaces.
Commonly used in primary teeth due to less strength.
Ideal for tiny restorations or as a temporary filling material.
3. Dental inlay and onlay
According to cavity extension and tooth preparation, it is another type of dental filling.
It restores the tooth while maintaining its structure integrity.
Multiple visits are required for placement as it is fabricated in a dental laboratory.
4. Ceramic restorations.
Advanced material with long-lasting and incredibly attractive properties.
Used for larger restorations but may be more expensive.
5. Gold restorations
Extremely durable and biocompatible, yet less popular due to higher cost and less pleasing appearance.
Advantages of Avoiding Amalgam:
While shifting to mercury-free materials resolve several problems, and advance in alternative restorative choices
Environmental Protection.
The restriction of amalgam reflects a global trend toward safer, more environmental friendly dental treatment. Limited use of amalgam supports global efforts to reduce mercury pollution, resulting in healthier ecosystems.
Aesthetic improvements
Composite and ceramic restorations match the natural colour of the tooth, giving it a more attractive appearance, and offering patients safer, and better cosmetic solutions. To avoid the need for fillings, people should prioritize preventative care, discuss, and consult with their dentists about suitable alternatives.
Advancements in Dental Materials
The campaign for mercury-free dentistry has expedited advancements in restorative materials, resulting in more effective, and patient-friendly alternatives
What are the implications of the amalgam ban?
For Patients
Dental amalgam used as a main filling material for a long time, after alternative dental filling options usage is limited but raised some problems for patients
Availability of better restoration filling options
The amalgam restriction promotes the use of mercury-free dental cavity repairing materials, which include:
Composite resin filling is cosmetically appealing and tooth-coloured, but it can be worn in high-stress environments and does not last as long as amalgam. Glass ionomer cement releases fluoride and is suitable for small cavities. Gold and ceramic fillings are more expensive yet biocompatible and durable.
Existing Amalgam fillings.
After the news about amalgam banning, patients who already have amalgam fillings are woried and want to remove it immediately. Existing amalgam does not require removal unless medically necessary.
Removal of amalgam filling can be more dangerous due to inhalation or ingestion of large mercury vapour that is emitted during needless removal, which is more harmful than leaving fillings in place.
Cost Consequences
Amalgam filling is economical as compared to the alternative options; they are more expensive. Patients may have to pay out of pocket for mercury-free fillings if their insurance does not cover the entire cost.
Impact of the Ban on Dentists.
Moral responsibility
Dentists must now use mercury-free restorative materials including composite resins and glass ionomer cement and must employ amalgam separators to prevent amalgam waste for patients and environmental safety.
Upskilling according to advanced technology
The dentists required training and upskilling to guarantee that they could perform high-quality restorations with alternative materials. Patients now have more aesthetic alternatives, including tooth-coloured composites for fillings. Dental practices must invest in new equipment, training, and supplies.
Technical Considerations
Amalgam alternative composite resins, demand a dry operating environment for their effective placement in the tooth cavity, making them more technique-dependent than amalgams.
In some therapeutic settings, alternative materials such as GIC and composite have shorter lifespans than amalgams that need to be replaced or touched up after some time.
Dentists avoid the removal of amalgam in patients who already have it, if it is clinically essential to perform it skillfully, then cover support the tooth with a dental crown.
Access to Care
In some locations, particularly those that are underprivileged, dental amalgam remains a realistic, and cheap restorative care alternative, making it possible for the patient to get easy access to amalgam alternative restoration.
The Function of the British Dental Association (BDA) is to reduce the impact
The BDA helps dentists migrate to mercury-free alternatives.
Advocating for appropriate money and resources to enable NHS dental treatment offices to offer mercury-free restorations.
Raising public knowledge of the safety of current amalgam fillings and the advantages of newer materials.
Dental Restorations’ Future
Development of better alternative materials
To completely replace amalgam, research is being conducted to develop long-lasting, low-cost, and biocompatible materials.
Minimally invasive Dentistry
Minimally invasive techniques and a focus on preventive care can reduce the need for fillings.
Policies making for proper mercury control
The Minamata Convention will continue to drive global policies and technologies to reduce mercury use in dentistry and other industries.
Conclusion
The restriction of amalgam reflects a global trend toward safer, more environmentally friendly dental operations. Although amalgam has been a reliable material for many years, its detrimental environmental and health impacts have necessitated the introduction of mercury-free alternatives. To avoid the need for fillings, people should prioritize preventative care, be informed, and consult with their dentists about suitable alternatives. To ensure a healthier future for patients and the environment, dentists and the dental industry must embrace this transformation.
