A lot of people are concerned about the safety of dental amalgam fillings and crowns. The concern is that they might be harmful to health because they contain elemental mercury. Some people even go as far as having their fillings replaced. If you have dental amalgam fillings or crowns, then it is important to learn the facts.

It is a fact that dental amalgam fillings and crowns contain mercury. Dental amalgam is a combination that is usually made up of copper, mercury, silver and tin. As part of a combination of those metals, the mercury becomes considerably more stable than it would be on its own. The World Health Organization, United States Public Health Service, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration consider dental amalgam to be safe. It is generally accepted that people are exposed to a greater level of mercury in their daily lives.

If you are concerned about your dental amalgam fillings or crowns, why not talk to Wayzata Dental. They will be happy to give you informed advice and if necessary direct you to any literature that you require.

Learn More About Fillings and Crowns

Dental crowns are a very easy way to restore badly damaged teeth to their original shape. They are sometimes referred to as caps. A crown is different from a filling because it covers the whole tooth instead of just filling the damaged portion of a tooth. The advantage of a crown is that it is prepared in a laboratory, not within your mouth. A dental technician creates the crown and a dentist shapes your tooth and fits it.Essentially, a crown is just a cap placed over the original tooth. It is placed over the tooth in order to protect it from further damage, to strengthen it and for cosmetic purposes. Dental crowns are commonly constructed from porcelain, gold or in some cases a combination of the two.

Crowns are not only used to treat decayed teeth, they can also be used to restore damaged teeth. Wayzata Dental has a great deal of experience in making and fitting dental crowns. If you have a badly damaged tooth or teeth, the best course of action is to make an appointment. After an examination, your dentist will be able to properly inform you of your restorative options.