Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?

Amalgam — the silver-coloured filling material — has been used in dentistry for more than 150 years because it's strong, long-lasting, and affordable. It's a blend of metals that includes mercury, which is what most questions are about.

Major health authorities, including the FDA, Health Canada, and the World Health Organization, consider amalgam safe for the general population. Fillings do release a very small amount of mercury vapour, but it falls well within established safe limits, and there's no convincing evidence that amalgam fillings cause health problems in the general public. As a precaution, the FDA has suggested that certain groups (for example, pregnant or nursing patients, young children, and people with mercury sensitivity) may wish to consider alternatives for new fillings where practical.

Importantly, if you already have healthy amalgam fillings, replacing them isn't recommended just to switch materials — the removal process itself releases more vapour than leaving them in place. For new fillings, we routinely offer tooth-coloured composite, which many patients prefer for its natural look. We're glad to discuss what's best for your situation.