At Stockholm Dental Clinic in Puerto Banus (Marbella) we have never used amalgam.

Dental amalgam is a dental filling material. It has been used as a filling material for more than 150 years. Amalgam fillings are also known as “silver fillings” because of their silver-like appearance, however, when they are corroded, they can look almost black.

Today, many patients want to remove their amalgam fillings, mainly for aesthetic reasons. They do not like the look of their mouth when they smile or laugh as they feel that the only thing others see is a mouth full of amalgam.

When an amalgam filling is removed, the alternative most often is a composite filling; often referred to as a white filling. However, if a very extensive amalgam filling is being removed in one of the back teeth (molars), where we generally bite with much more force, a composite filling might not be the best choice. Talk to our dentist, Dr. Mattis Mamusa at Stockholm Dental Clinic about other options.

Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of liquid mercury (50%) and a powdered alloy composed mainly, of silver tin, and copper. Mercury is used to bind the alloy particles together into a strong and solid filling. Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature and bonds well with the other metals in powder form. Dental amalgam fillings are strong and are less likely to break than other filling materials.

Some individuals have an allergy or sensitivity to dental amalgam. Dental amalgam might cause these individuals to develop lichenoid lesions (the most common oral form is lichen planus) in the soft tissue next to a tooth with an amalgam filling. Oral lichen is normally found on the inside of the cheek or on the side of the tongue. Once the amalgam fillings have been removed, the oral type of lichenoid lesions, often disappear.

There are several different chemical forms of mercury: elemental mercury, inorganic mercury, and methyl-mercury. The form of mercury associated with dental amalgam is elemental mercury. The form of mercury found in fish is methyl-mercury, a type of organic mercury. Methyl-mercury is more toxic than elemental mercury.

Should you be the least concerned about the removal process of amalgam, inform our dentist at Stockholm Dental Clinic in Puerto Banus (Marbella) and he will use what is called a rubber dam. This means that the tooth being worked on is totally isolated from the oral cavity. There is a constant water spray during the drilling. This water along with the amalgam is evacuated with a very strong suction. Absolutely nothing enters your mouth.

Today, amalgam as a filling material has lost its popularity. Aesthetic concerns, and concerns about environmental pollution, health, and the availability of improved, reliable, composite materials are all contributing factors. In particular, concerns about the toxicity of mercury have made its use increasingly controversial, especially in Scandinavia. In Sweden dentists are no longer allowed to use mercury fillings.