Amalgam Fillings? Mercury

[ann2002]

I just got back from the dentist and he drilled four cavities .... He asked me if I wanted the amalgam fillings or the composite. Since these cavaties are way in the back I went with the amalgam.

Should I have gone with the composite instead because of the mercury in the amalgam? I know that it is too late now, but I just googled and am worried about issues with subsequent pregnancies and breastfeeding.

Am I just being a nut?

[SarahKatG]

Hmm, your dentist should have done a better job of explaining that the difference is more than just cosmetic. My father in law is a dentist and he had me come in to replace all my amalgam fillings before I got pregnant because of the mercury concerns, particularly for a fetus but also for my own health. There's no need to panic or anything but in the future definitely go with composite.

[Marisa]

Did you check Kellymom as well? She has some (somewhat) reassuring info there:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/chemical/mercury.html

[ann2002]

Thanks Sarah and Marisa for responding -- The info on Kellymom is somewhat reasurring, so is some other info that I found on some pregnancy websites.

My dentist did explain it - but said that the transfer was minimal and that I was likely to have more mercury in my body from eating fish. But when I got home I found conflicting info online (like what Sarahs FIL had told her) and started to question my decision.

I guess what is done is done....

[Quartercentury]

I was just thinking about having my amalgam fillings replaced, but my dentist and I decided that the risk of transfering mercury into my system was greater during the removal process than just letting them be. FWIW, he won't place amalgam fillings anymore, not because of the mercury content, but because they can expand and contract with extreme temps, which can obviously be very painful!

If you're interested in finding out what your mercury level is, you can order a hair sample test kit through a project being run by Greenpeace:
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/get-tested-for-mercury-contami

I sent in my sample last week. Crossing my fingers for good results!

[tlew12778]

My dentist will pretty much only do composite fillings as well now. He actually did not mention the mercury issue to me at all. He said it had more to do with the malleability of the composite over the amalgam. To do an amalgam filling, they need to drill a square shape I believe so you can actually lose more natural tooth in order to accomodate it. A composite will fit any shape hole.

Here's what the ADA has to say about amalgam fillings: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp

[ann2002]

Thank you so much ladies for your posts!!