If you care about oral health, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into your mouth. You should be extra careful about what goes in there permanently. If you choose an unsafe filling, you face years of potentially harmful effects slowly influencing your health over time.
There’s no shortage of reasons to opt for porcelain fillings for your teeth. They are safer than other options while performing well over the long haul. Avoiding cavities is best, but when you do get one you need something safe, strong, and durable. You’ll want to live your life without worrying about the filling and without having to replace it anytime soon.
Some other materials for fillings have unfortunate side effects. While porcelain fillings are natural and safe, the other options out there have potentially dangerous chemicals and other hazards. We recommend porcelain fillings for their performance as well as for the peace of mind they offer in safety.
No mercury in porcelain fillings
Metal amalgam fillings, which used to be the most common type of filling in the country, contain a relatively high mercury content. Mercury exposure has been strongly linked to neurotoxicity, and may cause various disabilities of the nervous system while also posing a greater risk for behavioral problems in children.
Some countries have banned amalgam fillings altogether. They’re still legal in the U.S., but it’s become clear that people want to avoid the risk of mercury poisoning. With porcelain fillings, you have zero mercury in your mouth.
On a side note, amalgam fillings give that dark silvery look. Porcelain fillings are the regular white of teeth for a more natural appearance.
Porcelain fillings avoid BPA products
Another kind of cavity filling option in recent years has been the Bis-GMA filling, which is essentially a plastic composite. Many people used to choose these fillings for mostly aesthetic reasons. However, the materials used include compounds that are similar to BPA, which is a potentially toxic substance that has been banned in baby bottles and sippy cups. Many countries have banned BPA entirely as well.
Bis-GMA dental fillings have been linked to developmental and behavioral disorders in some children, according to a number of studies. It seems that these resin fillings are not much safer than amalgam fillings. They also break down in a matter of years and need replacement more often than porcelain fillings.
Porcelain fillings can last a lifetime
In addition to long-term health concerns, porcelain fillings are also just downright safe during everyday life. They are less likely to chip or break than other options, and with proper care you can enjoy them pain-free and safely for a lifetime, with proper care.