Mercury in old fillings, is it safe or should I have it changed?

David Zhukovsky - Verified provider

Really well said doc. I agree with your explanation.

Boris Karachun - Verified provider

Hey denji. Great question. Lately you see a lot of different information online, and even when speaking to dentists, but it is my professional opinion that those fillings are absolutely safe. Yes, it is true they were made with mercury, but that mercury is locked inside the filling and not actively seeping into your mouth or body. Some research says that a little bit does seep out, but the amount is so minuscule that, so far, there is no convincing research to prove it has any negative effects. On the contrary, you often get even more exposure when removing these fillings, as they are aerosolized by the drill (although a good office will properly suction this and minimize the impact). Some of these fillings, due to the nature of the material, were made very large, and can put your tooth at risk for fracture. These times a dentist may recommend a preventative onlay or crown to stop any future problems, but based on the picture you provided, it doesn’t seem like your filling is big enough to create these issues. Assuming there is no decay around those fillings, and they are not esthetically displeasing to you, I would leave them alone. Of course, this is only based on what I can see here, and I would need to see you in person to give you a real recommendation, but I’m hoping this information provides some guidance.