{"id":134,"date":"2021-06-10T16:08:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T16:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecodentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=134"},"modified":"2021-10-04T22:01:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T22:01:10","slug":"should-i-replace-my-metal-fillings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecodentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/10\/should-i-replace-my-metal-fillings\/","title":{"rendered":"You Asked, We Answered: Should I Replace My Metal Fillings?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Closeup<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that roughly 90% of Americans have had at least one cavity by their 21st<\/sup> birthday? If this statistic sounds all too familiar, then you\u2019re acquainted with restorative dentistry. However, if your treatment was completed more than a decade ago, it\u2019s likely that amalgam was used to restore the function of your smile. Today, tooth-colored alternatives<\/a> are used, but they have other benefits than just flawlessly rebuilding a damaged tooth. With this in mind, keep reading for the answer to the popular question, \u201cShould I replace my metal fillings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, Should I Replace My Metal Fillings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In short, the answer is yes. Although your original metal filling may still be intact, switching to a tooth-colored alternative can benefit the look of your smile as well as your overall health. In fact, a study published in 2016 found that patients with more than eight amalgam fillings could be at risk for increased levels of mercury in their blood. Additionally, metal restorations expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold, which can cause discomfort when you drink your morning coffee or indulge in a nighttime scoop of ice cream. Therefore, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your dentist about making the switch to tooth-colored fillings instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Benefits of Tooth-Colored Restorations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, tooth-colored restorations come with a number of benefits. In addition to being mercury-free, a few of the most common reasons they are preferred by dentists and patients alike are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n