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The FDA has advised ‘vulnerable’ groups – pregnant and lactating women; women trying to conceive; fetuses, infants and younger kids; those with neurological or kidney issues; and those allergic to mercury – to avoid dental amalgam. We take this advice very seriously. That’s why we consider mercury-free smiles as a priority!

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FDA advises “vulnerable groups” to avoid dental amalgam

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised certain “vulnerable and high-risk groups” to avoid getting dental amalgam fillings if possible due to the potentially harmful effects the mercury in these fillings may pose to their health.

In a recent statement, the FDA has updated its recommendations on dental amalgam and potential risks to certain individuals that may be posed by these mercury-containing fillings that are used to restore the missing structure and surfaces of decayed teeth.

The groups that the FDA has listed as facing greater risks for potential harmful health effects include:

Pregnant women and their developing fetuses
Women who are planning to become pregnant
Nursing women and their newborns and infants
Children, especially those younger than six years of age
People with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease
Those with impaired kidney functions
Those who are extremely sensitive or allergic to mercury or other components in dental amalgam.

Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury and a powdered alloy comprising silver, tin and copper. The FDA has been reviewing and monitoring scientific publications and reports and conducting public discussions on the effects of dental amalgam and mercury vapor on patient health for over 20 years.

They now also recommend non-mercury alternatives like composite resins and glass ionomer cement fillings, especially for vulnerable populations. The FDA has made these recommendations after obtaining the views of healthcare professionals and public comments about dental amalgam and other metal implants and evaluating published literature.

If you are searching for natural, mercury-free dentistry in Yadkinville, North Carolina, make Virtue Dental Care your provider of choice!

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NC dental team uses inlays and onlays, created in a single visit

In the skilled hands of Dr. William Virtue, beautiful and durable ceramic can be matched and molded to look, feel, and function like natural, healthy tooth structure.

Direct restorations such as fillings and dental bonding involve applying the material directly to the tooth. Indirect restorations are designed and created outside of the mouth to your unique specifications, and then securely placed to repair damage.

Options to restore a tooth

When decay or trauma has damaged most of the tooth, a crown will cover the entire tooth to the gumline.

However, not every tooth with damage needs a crown. An onlay may be recommended and applied only to damaged areas. It covers at least one cusp. It may even cover most or all the chewing surface. Unlike crowns, the onlay doesn’t cover the tooth to the gums. The onlay is considered a more conservative alternative to full coverage crowns and is sometimes called a “partial crown.”

In some cases, an even more conservative procedure can be used. The dental inlay restores only the surface of the tooth between the cusps.

In still other cases, even an inlay is not needed to restore your tooth’s appearance and health. Tooth-colored fillings at Virtue Dental Care are made of biocompatible materials, which are directly applied to areas of damage. The materials fill in decayed areas, such as cavities.

A filling may not suffice if damage or decay is extensive. Big fillings are at risk of fracturing, because so much of the tooth is missing.

Dr. Virtue may recommend inlays or onlays to restore NC patients’ old or worn fillings. They are also good options to replace silver fillings made from a mix of metals.

CALL OUR OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Virtue Dental Care Patients: (336) 679-2034 | New Patients: (336) 606-0040

A convenient process

Restorations may be completed in a single visit. Dr. Virtue uses CEREC to create your new tooth structure. After the treated tooth is prepared, an optical impression will be taken. Instead of using sticky “goop” to create a mold of your tooth, a special camera takes a digital picture of your tooth in a couple of minutes.

CEREC software converts the digital picture into a 3-Dimensional virtual model. Design data regarding your new tooth structure is sent to a milling machine. The machine will shape your restoration from a ceramic block matched to the shade of your teeth in about 20 minutes. Dr. Virtue will check how the restoration looks and fits. It is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth.

You can regain a healthy, beautiful smile in a single appointment, and without the sticky goop, delicate temporaries, and return trips of the traditional process. Conservative, comfortable, biocompatible, and convenient techniques and technologies are a perfect fit with our holistic office, Virtue Dental Care. Virtue Dental Care patients, call (336) 606-0040 and, new patients, call to schedule your appointment.

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