Allergic Reactions to Dental Fillings
Thanks to bigger fears and more common phobias related to sitting in the dentist's chair, the last thing most people think about when getting a cavity filled is having an allergic reaction. It's not a common occurrence but it does happen to an unlucky few.
Types of Fillings
There are several materials used as dental fillings such as gold, silver and even porcelain. Silver fillings, the most common type, are also called "amalgam fillings" because they are a mix of silver, mercury, tin and copper. The mercury helps the fillings harden and, although it has been a source of health concern over the years, currently both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the ADA (American Dental Association) endorse it as safe for use in dental fillings.
Incidence
Any foreign substance in the body has the potential to cause an allergic reaction, but, although not unheard of, allergies to dental fillings happen only in very rare cases. Less than 1 percent of patients are reported as being allergic to amalgam fillings, and experts say the culprit is the mercury.
Identification
An allergic reaction to a new filling usually presents as redness, itching and/or a skin rash around the tooth, mouth, head and neck.
Treatment
Treatment of an allergic reaction to a dental filling is simply removing the offending filling in exchange for a replacement filling made of something mercury-free like gold, porcelain or composite. In some cases the allergic reaction might clear on its own before the filling is removed, in which case the dentist might opt to leave it in to avoid triggering a recurrence of the symptoms.
Prevention
Allergic reactions to dental fillings are so rare (less than 100 cases have ever been reported) that most people will never have to worry about them no matter how many fillings they get in their lifetimes. However, you should still go over your allergies and medical history with your dentist before the procedure so the dentist can make an educated decision on what type of filling material to use.
Tags: allergic reaction, dental fillings, Allergic Reactions, amalgam fillings, most people, Reactions Dental, Reactions Dental Fillings