Dental Care

There’s “old school,” and then there’s were-there-even-schools-back-then old school. Every dentist in Yellowknife has traditionally filled patients’ cavities with amalgam or “silver” fillings. Amalgam fillings are called that because they’re made out of an amalgam (a combination) of metals including mercury, tin, copper and — appropriately — a small amount of silver. Just how traditional are those “traditional” silver fillings? History tells us that some version of an amalgam filling has been used for over 1,300 years. The disadvantages of silver fillings Silver fillings have been used for a long time because they have certain advantages. Silver fillings are generally strong, resilient, easily prepared and easily placed in a cavity to protect you from advancing tooth decay. Despite those obvious and long-respected strengths, though, silver fillings have significant disadvantages too. They include:  Silver fillings contain a small amount of mercury which some people feel is unsafe ...