Amalgam Fillings in Jupiter, FL

For decades, amalgam fillings — commonly known as "silver fillings" — were the standard treatment for repairing cavities and restoring decayed teeth. While they remain durable and functional, many patients today are choosing to replace their old amalgam fillings with safer, more aesthetically pleasing tooth-colored composite alternatives. At Attune Dentistry in Jupiter, FL, Dr. Andrea Diaz, DMD helps patients understand their options and provides safe amalgam removal and composite filling placement for patients throughout Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, Tequesta, and Hobe Sound.

What Are Amalgam Fillings?

Amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals including silver, tin, copper, and approximately 50% mercury. This combination creates a hard, durable material that has been used in dentistry for over 150 years. Amalgam fillings are strong and long-lasting — often surviving 10–15 years or more with proper care. However, their dark silver color makes them highly visible when you smile, laugh, or speak, which is why many patients prefer modern tooth-colored alternatives.

Are Amalgam Fillings Safe?

The safety of amalgam fillings has been debated for many years due to their mercury content. While major dental and health organizations — including the American Dental Association and the FDA — have historically considered amalgam fillings safe for most adults, they have also advised caution for certain populations. In 2023, the FDA updated its guidance recommending that amalgam fillings be avoided or removed in high-risk groups, including:

• Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant
• Nursing mothers
• Children under 6 years of age
• People with kidney impairment
• Individuals with neurological conditions
• People with known sensitivity or allergy to mercury

If you fall into one of these categories, or simply prefer a mercury-free dental experience, Dr. Diaz can discuss your options for safe amalgam removal at our Jupiter, FL office.

Amalgam vs. Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings

Today, tooth-colored composite resin fillings have largely replaced amalgam as the preferred filling material. Here's how they compare:

• Appearance: Amalgam is silver/dark and very visible. Composite matches your natural tooth color and is virtually invisible.
• Mercury content: Amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury. Composite is mercury-free.
• Tooth preservation: Composite bonds directly to tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth. Amalgam requires more tooth preparation.
• Durability: Both are durable. Amalgam may last slightly longer in back teeth under heavy chewing pressure, but modern composites are highly resilient.
• Sensitivity to temperature: Amalgam expands and contracts with temperature changes, which can cause cracks over time. Composite does not have this issue.
• Cost: Composite fillings may cost slightly more than amalgam, though most insurance plans now cover composite fillings for back teeth as well.

Safe Amalgam Removal at Attune Dentistry

If you'd like to replace your existing amalgam fillings with tooth-colored composites, Dr. Diaz follows safe amalgam removal protocols to minimize your exposure to mercury vapor during the removal process. Our approach includes:

• Use of a rubber dam to isolate the tooth and prevent swallowing of particles
• High-volume evacuation to capture mercury vapor and debris
• Sectioning the filling into chunks to minimize drilling time and vapor generation
• Providing supplemental oxygen when appropriate
• Replacing with high-quality, BPA-free composite resin

We take a conservative, patient-centered approach — only recommending removal when fillings are failing, cracked, or causing symptoms, or when the patient specifically requests it for health or cosmetic reasons.

When Should Amalgam Fillings Be Replaced?

Not every old amalgam filling needs to be replaced immediately. Dr. Diaz will evaluate your existing fillings during your comprehensive exam and recommend replacement if:

• The filling is cracked, broken, or showing signs of failure
• Decay has developed around or beneath the filling
• The tooth is cracked due to the expansion/contraction of the amalgam
• You are experiencing sensitivity or discomfort
• You fall into a high-risk category per updated FDA guidance
• You prefer a mercury-free, tooth-colored restoration for aesthetic or health reasons

Why Choose Attune Dentistry for Amalgam Filling Removal in Jupiter, FL?

Dr. Andrea Diaz and the Attune Dentistry team take a whole-health approach to dental care. We understand that many patients have concerns about the mercury in their existing fillings, and we respect every patient's choice regarding their own dental health. Whether you want to replace all of your old amalgam fillings or simply have a new cavity filled with tooth-colored composite, we provide compassionate, judgment-free care in a comfortable, modern environment.

Amalgam Fillings FAQs