Dental problems can lead to the development of other diseases, which can be quite serious. That is why any damage, including carious, must be eliminated as soon as possible. To do this, the dentist must carefully treat the cavity with special tools, peroxide, alcohol, and it may be necessary to remove the nerve (pulp). After these manipulations, the doctor puts a filling, the type of which depends on the problem with the teeth, as well as the financial capabilities of the patient. The cheapest and most affordable are metal fillings.
What material is used?
Another name for metal fillings is amalgam fillings. This is due to the material that is used to install them. Metal dental fillings are an alloy of mercury with various metals (silver or copper).
Silver amalgam is an alloy that, in addition to silver, includes:
- tin (slows down the curing process);
- copper (increases the strength of the alloy and ensures full contact of the filling with the walls of the tooth);
- zinc;
- mercury.
The last metal is needed to obtain a plastic mixture, which will harden very quickly after installation.
Copper amalgam has the same composition, but the ratio of components is completely different. In particular, this applies to the proportions of silver and copper. In this case, the amount of copper is much larger, and only a small part of tin and silver.
Benefits
First of all, metal fillings are the most affordable, which means that almost anyone can afford to have he althy teeth. In addition, other advantages of such material stand out:
- hardness and durability, which guarantees a long-term use of such a filling, it does not need to be changed periodically, which will save your time and money;
- ease of use;
- impervious to moisture, so tea lovers won't be destroyed.
Also, it is silver amalgam that can prevent the recurrence of caries.
Flaws
Numerous patient reviews indicate that metal fillings also have negative qualities, which are much larger and more significant. This opinion is shared by dentists. That is why in many countries they are no longer used at all, and in Russia you will not find specialists who agree to put such a filling, especially in paid clinics.
The main disadvantages are, according to patients and specialists:
- badstickiness;
- high thermal conductivity (this can cause toothache when in contact with hot food);
- changing the color of the tooth, in addition, the filling itself is radically different from the color of the enamel (which is why they are most often placed on chewing teeth, the aesthetic appearance of which is of little importance);
- there is always a taste of metal in the mouth;
- difficulty installing such a filling, as well as a long hardening period, which will require at least two hours for the dentist;
- shrinkage of the material, which may result in tooth chipping, and because of this, additional intervention may be required;
- the composition of the alloy includes mercury, which adversely affects the body.
Do these fillings need to be replaced?
Besides this, despite the fact that this material is durable, it is still necessary to change metal seals (their service life is 10 years), although this rule is ignored by many. Given all the pros and cons of metal fillings for teeth, many specialists refuse to use this type of material. Although in some cases this is allowed. In addition, many patients decide to change the metal filling due to a change in the color of the tooth itself. It takes on an unhe althy look and significantly ruins the smile.
Contraindications
In addition to the undoubted advantages and disadvantages, it is worth considering the fact that it is not always possible to install metal seals,even if the patient insists on it. These contraindications are:
- front teeth filling;
- the presence of other metal objects in the oral cavity, otherwise the phenomenon of galvanism (galvanic current) is possible;
- radiotherapy to the jaw or entire face.
Harm he alth
As mentioned earlier, metal fillings are harmful to he alth, in some cases even more than good. This is due to the presence of mercury in the alloy, which, when it enters the body, poisons it, especially if there is more than one such filling in the mouth. The main symptoms of this phenomenon are:
- persistent headaches that are practically not eliminated by medication;
- allergic reactions (if they were not there before, they appear, if the patient has suffered from allergies before, it becomes more aggressive);
- functional and organic disorders in the kidneys.
In addition, it has not yet been revealed how metal seals will behave if they enter the zone of influence of electromagnetic waves, which are very numerous in a modern room, especially if there are computers and household appliances.
It is also worth noting that such a filling protects the tooth from destruction only at the time of service. When it is removed, the tooth will certainly die, and the nerve will also need to be removed.
Such fillings were widely used in the USSR. People took it for grantedand did not connect numerous he alth problems with a metal filling in any way. However, studies and numerous reviews prove a negative effect on the body.
Can pregnant women get metal fillings?
Especial damage is caused by a metal filling to an embryo if his mother was treated in this way before the woman became pregnant. This is due to the fact that mercury tends to enter the child's body through the mother's body.
Metal seal installation steps
The installation process takes place in three stages:
- Removal of infected areas with a special drill. As a rule, dentin is damaged by caries, therefore, in order to prevent the spread of infection, it must be completely or partially removed. The use of anesthesia is optional. With increased sensitivity of the tooth enamel, they still make an anesthetic injection into the gum.
- Expansion and processing of the dental canal for subsequent filling. At this stage, the nerve is also removed, if necessary, if the hard tissue of the tooth is too severely affected. If this is not done, the patient will feel constant unbearable pain. The main rule of the stage is compliance with the requirements of disinfection. If all pathogenic bacteria are not removed, then when the cavity is closed with a filling, they will begin to actively multiply and destroy the tooth.
- Directly filling. It is at this stage that the doctor inserts amalgam into the canal. There are certain precautions that must be observed without fail, otherwise the seal will deteriorate. Within two hours after drying, it is forbidden to eat, smoke, drink any drinks, otherwise touch the tooth.
Metal fillings are special (reviews confirm this) in that they dry for 2-3 hours. In addition, the next day you will need to visit the dentist again to polish the surface. This is necessary in order not to damage the oral mucosa with roughness on the surface of the seal. When properly inserted, the patient does not feel pain.
As a rule, the dentist issues a guarantee for his work. Despite the fact that the service life of metal seals is about 10 years, the warranty period does not exceed two years. During this period, if any damage occurs directly to the seal itself or if the amalgam is destroyed, the replacement of the old seal with a new one is free of charge.
