Fill Me In
We all know that accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, and our teeth are no exception to this rule. Therefore, many people find themselves in a situation which requires them to receive a dental filling. Knowing about some of the possibilities for dental fillings can help us to better understand our options so we can make an educated choice when using our Ameriplan® discount for fillings!
Amalgam fillings are one of the options available. These fillings are a source of mercury vapor, the same vapor which is emitted from volcanos. Mercury vapor targets the central nervous system as well as the kidneys. Although there is speculation that the mercury vapor emitted by amalgam fillings may worsen degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, there is no clear evidence to support the speculations. It is important, however, to be informed of all possibilities. Amalgam fillings are metal alloys, and are very resistant to the chemical and mechanical attacks to them for many years. Amalgam fillings start out as a metallic paste, which is packed into the cavity at body temperature. The paste then proceeds to harden to complete the filling.
Resin-based composite fillings are another option in cosmetic dentistry. These fillings are the same color as the tooth. The composite paste is packed into the dental cavity, and then exposed to intense, visible blue light for approximately thirty seconds. The light activates a chemical initiator within the paste, causing a reaction which makes the paste harden. Although resin-based composite fillings have similar strengths as amalgam fillings, they do tend to wear away more rapidly.
Ameriplan® offers a discount dental program which can save you a lot of money on this procedure.
Sources:
http://www.yourhealthbase.com/amalgams.html
http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=527
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