Who invented dental amalgam

Quebec is coming soon. Checking your mouth for fillings or amalgams has become an important part of your dental check-up. Fillings a term we hear often, one that we dread having our dentist say during a check-up, and tend to be our first experience with a dental treatment. But how did our modern concept of thinking about fillings come about? How were fillings first treated and how far have we come in our diagnoses and treatment for fillings?

We at Dentist. Here are some interesting facts that we found! After learning about the amalgam health issue, Huggins researched and wrote his first major book on the hazards of amalgams. Gay and others at the University of Iowa reported a measurable release of mercury vapor from amalgam fillings; when the amalgams were stimulated by chewing, brushing or hot beverages the release was far greater. With his father, Sam Ziff, Michael Ziff went on to author books on such topics as mercury free dentist and dental mercury detox.

They confirmed a strong correlation between brain levels of mercury and the number of amalgam filling surfaces in the teeth. Nylander and Friberg published an autopsy study showing that mercury levels were much higher in the pituitary glands and the thyroid glands of dental staff as compared to a non- dentist control group.

The mercury level in the pituitary glands of the dental group was about forty times higher than that of the controls. Other studies found dentists to have a higher rate of irritability, depression and mood disorders. Dentist have a much higher suicide rate than other white collar professionals.

Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. New Patient Forms. Ancient Dental Fillings Fillings have been used for thousands of years. Need a filling?

Come get your composite filling. Schedule an Appointment. The amalgams, which by definition are a blend, consisted of copper, tin, silver, and mercury. Within 20 years, concern over the use of mercury arose due to both its ineffectiveness as a filling material, and the health effects on the human body.

These effects included mercury poisoning, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Given the amount of concern over the original mercury amalgam fillings, modern fillings have been adapted for safety. Mercury is still used in fillings as it allows the material used to repair the tooth to become mouldable.

It is also strong, and able to endure the stresses of everyday functions. It is also relatively inexpensive when compared to other choices, and is highly durable so it can be used in places other materials cannot.

It is quick to apply to the cavity, so it often requires a shorter time at the dentist than other filling options. Porcelain fillings resemble real teeth, and are a good option to maintain a natural look on a tooth that is not viable for a composite filling. They are more fragile than other materials though.