While the use of metals including mercury, known as amalgams, in dentistry can be traced back to ancient China, it wasn’t until the 1830s that the English-born Crawcour family introduced this filling material to patients in the United States. Dental amalgam or “silver” fillings (due to their silver-colored hue), have represented a controversial restorative material ever since. Richard D. Weigand, DDS has accounted for the credible and large body of research that links dental amalgams to symptoms of mercury poisoning. In turn, Dr. Weigand is a mercury free dentist in Spokane, WA. He only uses safe materials, products, and techniques to restore or preserve oral health. The use of “silver” fillings is simply not a good fit with Dr. Weigand’s other services and principles.
Complementary care for lasting health
Dr. Weigand has designed a practice with patients’ utmost comfort, convenience, satisfaction, and well-being at its heart. The placement of amalgam fillings at Richard D. Weigand, DDS would be in direct conflict with these principles. Far and away, amalgams contain more elemental mercury than any other material – at around 50% by weight. Mercury is a known toxin. Mercury fillings are associated with bioaccumulation, which is another way of saying that the toxin builds up and its concentration steadily increases in bodily organs, such as the kidneys, and tissues over time.
Additionally, mercury is released as a vapor during the process of removing silver-colored amalgam fillings. As vapors are introduced, they pose threats to the health of the patient, dentist, staff, and the environment. For this reason, Dr. Weigand is also proud to be a “mercury safe” dentist. His practice has invested in safeguards, precautions, and related training to minimize mercury exposure during the removal process.
Dr. Weigand’s patients not only have peace of mind that their new BPA-free, metal-free, and mercury-free composite fillings are safe. But they also love how these fillings look – just like natural tooth structure! These color-matched restorations are also durable enough for back teeth, and don’t corrode like their metal counterparts. And they’re a great fit with Dr. Weigand’s emphasis on “conservative dentistry,” as composites preserve more tooth structure than metals.
These and other materials, such as dental ceramics like porcelain, may be used to build inlays, onlays (partial crowns), and full-coverage crowns. Call Richard D. Weigand, DDS at [phone] to schedule your appointment at the mercury-free and mercury-safe office in Spokane, WA.