Candance Turner

Sociology 1010-12
Information Gathering and Statistics

Amalgam VS. Composite Statistics

More than 100 million Amalgam fillings are placed each year in the United States. According to
the ADA Journal, a study conducted by French researchers from 1905 to 1986, found only 41 published
cases of allergic reactions to mercury in fillings. That's a very small amount when you consider the more
than 100 million amalgam fillings are placed every year. What I have found in my research is that there
are far more studies that suggest that Amalgam fillings are safe vs. unsafe for you.
Since 1895, scientists have been studying mercury as a safe and effective material to use in
dental fillings. Scientists have proven that mercury, in small specified amounts, does not pose a health
threat to patients. The mercury released from your fillings is actually less than the amount naturally
occurring in food, air and water. Mercury specifications were standardized by the American Dental
Association (ADA) in 1932 to ensure the proper universal use of mercury in fillings. Today, more than
100 brands of dental amalgam have been accepted for use by dentists. (The facts on fillings, n.d.)
Dental amalgam is a mix of approximately 43 to 54 percent mercury with other metals, including
silver, copper and tin. Dental amalgams have commonly been called silver fillings because of their
silver color when they are first placed. Today, amalgam is used most commonly in the back teeth. It is
one of the oldest filling materials and has been used (and improved) for more than 150 years. Dental
amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested filling material. (Dental Fillings, n.d.)
Composite fillings offer an alternative to amalgam especially when it comes to aesthetics. When
used in a patient's mouth, they resemble a normal tooth's color. Unfortunately, the fillings are not
covered by insurance because they take much longer to place in the mouth and they have more reasons
to fail. The composite material is created from a type of glass (quartz) and a plastic resin (giving it a
natural tooth color) that is secured to the tooth and hardens as it is secured. This process involves the
composite shrinking a small amount with light treatment and thereby gives a small amount of space for
naturally forming bacteria to deposit. This lengthy photo-curing technique is part of what makes
composite fillings more costly; it takes approximately ten to twenty minutes longer per tooth than a
traditional filling.
Something I didnt know was, BPA (BisPhenol A) a chemical that is in the plastic resign, is
released when composite fillings are cured. Not much is known about the effects of this chemical based
product and the effects on our body. The bond in the resin of the composite filling is also very sensitive
to moisture in the mouth. However, because less tooth structure is removed when preparing it for a
filling than traditional amalgam fillings, composite fillings require less drilling and provide for smaller
fillings. They also offer extra structure to the tooth thereby making it stronger. Unfortunately in the
composite method, a small amount of bacteria can form in the empty space and this can cause more
tooth decay earlier than the amalgam fillings do.
The clear advantage of composite fillings is aesthetics, but it comes with a real cost. It is about 1
to 2 times more than amalgam and this is a price that is not typically covered by many health
insurance companies. I believe that both definitely have their advantages and disadvantages, but
honestly within our society, it mostly comes down to cost. That is especially seen with our insurance
coverages.
1

Candance Turner
Sociology 1010-12
Information Gathering and Statistics
The following chart shows the Average Cost & Price of Fillings in Salt Lake City, Utah June 2013
Average Fee
June 1, 2013

Highest Fee
June 1, 2013
(95th percentile)

1 surface

$100.98

$119.49

2 surface

$115.08

$133.59

3 surface

$136.24

$160.03

4 or more surfaces

$145.05

$168.85

1 surface

$130.95

$153.86

2 surface

$143.29

$177.66

3 surface

$164.44

$197.05

4 or more surfaces

$173.26

$210.27

1 surface

$123.90

$141.52

2 surface

$173.26

$227.02

3 surface

$212.04

$247.29

4 or more surfaces

$252.58

$294.01

1 surface

$125.66

$186.48

2 surface

$197.93

$268.45

3 or more surface

$291.36

$339.84

retention pins

$71.01

$97.45

Dental Service

Silver Amalgam Fillings, Primary (baby) teeth

Silver Amalgam Fillings, Permanent teeth

Composite Resin Filling - Front teeth

Composite Resin Filling - Rear teeth

(http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/us/ut/salt-lake-city/fillings.html, 2014)

Candance Turner
Sociology 1010-12
Information Gathering and Statistics
Interesting enough, I found some other alternatives that are designed for specific purposes
compared to amalgam and composite fillings. Glass ionomers are composed of an organic acid and glass
mixture. It is a substance that is easily subject to fractures and therefore is not used on the load bearing
portion of the mouth. Glass ionomers are used in instances below the gum line because of their
translucency. A substantial benefit besides their appearance is that they release fluoride which helps to
prevent tooth decay. While glass ionomers are brittle in comparison to other fillings, they do serve an
effective purpose.
Porcelain fillings are used in a pure cosmetic dentistry setting. The drawbacks are high such as
the material having low durability, high cost and susceptibility to breakage. Gold fillings made with
either 14 or 18 karat gold are also an excellent filling material. Like amalgam fillings, they last a long time
and are sturdy. However, they conduct heat and cold which is uncomfortable and has led to the
evolution of other composites in the dental world. They are HIGHLY expensive and are usually not an
option for most American families, but it is still an option.
If you are worried about having your dentist use amalgam fillings on you and you believe that it
does pose a hazard to your health, and the above options are not an option, you can find a mercury-free
dentist. To begin the process, a patient can find a mercury-free dentist by doing a simple internet
search. At the site www.mercuryfreedentists.com, there are 117 listings for mercury-free dental offices
in the United States. The dentist removing the amalgam fillings will take extreme care and use devices
that will allow the patient not inhale or swallow any mercury vapors. This procedure is not covered by
typical insurance and is also costly.
Some Dentists have started using dental lasers which is a pain-free alternatives to dental drills.
The use of a dental laser is an exact and effectual tool in oral surgery. Because the laser is a ray of light,
the dentist is able to control the output and duration of the beam that stays on the patient's gum or oral
tissue without damage to other areas. An enormous benefit of the laser is that it allows for its use with
no anesthesia which is not the case with the classic dental drill.
Since dental lasers do not cause any pain, they are a great alternative to the anxiety caused to
young children during their first impressionable visits to the dentist. While still not a cost effective
option, laser treatment is the only way to avoid anesthetic needles and uncomfortable drills.
Consultation with a dentist is absolutely worth the time.
Generally a laser is used in instances of tooth decay when a dentist must cut a piece of the gum
to prepare it for a filling. Lasers are also used to reshape gums and eliminate bacteria to prepare the
area for a root canal. Canker sores can be removed with a laser. Lasers are also used to remove a piece
of skin to do a cancer biopsy, correct skin that causes sleep apnea and remove tumors. Lasers are also
employed in the activation process of teeth whitening as well as aesthetic restoration.
In all of the aforementioned procedures, traditional dental drills that are uncomfortable, loud
and at times painful can be replaced by a laser. The laser also produces less bleeding and inflammation
which is a positive for both the dentist and the patient. Unfortunately a laser cannot do everything that
a drill is designed to do since they cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings and it is vastly
expensive.
3

Candance Turner
Sociology 1010-12
Information Gathering and Statistics
Another alternative is an air abrasion system that is also virtually painless compared to the drill.
The technique is simply sandblasting using aluminum oxide particles that will treat the desired part of
the tooth/gum. The dentist will use a guard around the spot being treated to make sure the particles do
not escape the local area. (http://www.mercola.com/infographics/mercury-dental-fillings.htm, n.d.)
Of all the valid statistics and facts that I have found, the most important thing to understand is
that we have many options. Options given to us because of where we live, in the United States.
Unfortunately, there are still many children age 2-19 that deal daily with the pain of having cavities.
Cavities that are not taken care of. With the rise in health costs, I dont foresee this going down anytime
soon. I hope with the laws that are being passed, that more children will be taken care of, and have
access to dental care. Seeing a child smile is what lights the world, and every child should feel
comfortable with their smile!

References
Dental Fillings. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.padental.org/.../ADAFillingFacts.pdf.
FastStats - Oral and Dental Health - Centers for Disease ... (2014, May 14). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/dental.htm.
http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/us/ut/salt-lake-city/fillings.html. (2014, 11 4). Retrieved from
Salt Lake City Utah Fillings Costs, Dental Fillings:
http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/us/ut/salt-lake-city/fillings.html
http://www.mercola.com/infographics/mercury-dental-fillings.htm. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mercury
Dental Fillings by the Numbers Infograph.
Selected Oral Health Indicators in the United States, 20052008. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db96.htm:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db96.htm
The facts on fillings. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/fillings.html.
untreated dental caries in children 2-19, United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsUntreatedCavitiesKids/:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsUntreatedCavitiesKids/