Can gold be used as filling material for cavities?
Yes, gold in pure form was one of the oldest materials used in dentistry. Since it is very technique sensitive and better materials have emerged, gold is no longer used routinely. But gold is still used as an alloy or with other metals to fabricate crowns and other prostheses. What is silver filling? Pure silver is mixed with several other metals like copper, tin and mercury to make it into a semisolid form that is packed into the cavity and then allowed to harden. It has been used in dentistry for over 100 years and does function well in the mouth. This type of restorative material is called silver amalgam. Is the mercury present in the silver filling poisonous? No, the mercury when mixed with silver alloy reacts and forms various compounds and only tiny traces are left in the filling. Studies have shown that this tiny trace of free mercury does not leach out and is not harmful to the body. Why do silver filling appear grey/ black in colour? The surface of the silver filling needs to
