Many people have concerns about the mercury in their silver fillings. Since 1990, when “60 Minutes” ran a story on the alleged risks of dental amalgam, there has been a tremendous amount of media coverage. Reports were made claiming that there have been miraculous “cures” for a variety of medical conditions after these types of restorations are removed, and that dental amalgam is a potential source of mercury toxicity. Mercury, a neurotoxic metal, constitutes approximately 50% of dental amalgam fillings, and trace amounts of mercury vapor escape in the process of chewing. However, research conducted by the ADA (American Dental Association) and the scientific community has concluded in numerous studies that there are no serious health risks associated with silver fillings, and that its removal has not been shown to have any beneficial effects for a patient’s specific medical condition.     Still, many people feel more comfortable knowing that their teeth are being restored with mercury-free fillings.      Another reason why people are choosing tooth colored fillings is that their strength and longevity are now comparable to that of the silver fillings. An additional advantage of these tooth-colored fillings is that the less drilling is needed. Only decay is removed, and the filling is then bonded to the tooth, restoring the tooth’s integrity.  Silver fillings are not bonded, but rely on mechanical retention to hold the filling in place. As a result, healthy tooth structure is often removed to create the ideal depth, undercuts, holes and grooves required to achieve adequate retention of the amalgam filling. This process can weaken the tooth and make it more prone to fracture. It is not uncommon to see cracks in teeth around the silver fillings. In fact, tooth breakage around silver fillings is one of the more common dental emergencies!    In addition, tooth colored fillings are typically less sensitive to hot or cold, as metal tends to conduct temperature more readily. Also, white fillings are completely set at the end of the treatment and you do not have to wait the usual 24-hour period to eat hard foods as you do with silver fillings.     On the down side, bonded tooth colored composite fillings are more costly that amalgam fillings and require the dentist to be meticulous when placing them.       Ultimately there has to be a valid reason to replace a silver filling: Decay, broken filling, cracks in teeth around a silver filling, pain on chewing (possible internal tooth crack), separation of the filling from the tooth or esthetic concerns are some of the valid reason for replacing silver fillings.