When Did Dentists Stop Using Mercury Fillings? Understanding the Shift in Dentistry

Table of Contents

• Early Years & “Amalgam Wars”
• The Golden Age of Amalgam
• Rising Concerns and New Alternatives
• Regulatory Action and Modern Phase-Down
• Where We Stand Today

• Health Concerns
• Environmental Impact
• Advancements in Dental Materials
• Regulations and Policy

• Composite Resin Fillings
• Glass Ionomer Cements
• Ceramic and Other Metal-Free Options

Introduction: The Evolution of Dental Fillings

When I first heard about dentists using mercury in fillings, I was shocked. Wasn’t mercury dangerous? Still, “silver fillings,” as lots of people call them, were used for a really long time—some of my own family members still have them. It took years of me being curious, reading, and chatting with dental experts, including Dr. Joe Dental, to really get what happened. The question—“When did dentists stop using mercury fillings?”—doesn’t have just one simple year for an answer. What I found was a pretty interesting story full of hope, doubts, science, and real changes in dental care.

Let me walk you through what I learned about why things changed, what’s used now instead of those old fillings, and why you should care about all this today.

The Gradual Decline: A Timeline of Mercury Filling Use

Early Years & “Amalgam Wars” (1830s–Early 1900s)

Fillings have a longer backstory than you might think. The first time dental amalgam—an alloy of mercury, silver, tin, and a few other metals—was used was 659 AD in China. But the main change happened in the early 1800s, mostly in Europe and the US as dentistry really started to take off.

Back then, amalgam fillings were seen as great—they were cheap, easy to put in, and lasted a long time. But not everyone liked them. The so-called “Amalgam Wars” kicked off in the late 1830s, with dentists debating how safe mercury was. The American Society of Dental Surgeons even told its members to stay away from amalgam for a while!

I can imagine how confused patients must’ve been. One day, it was a miracle material. Then, people were fighting about whether it was even safe.

The Golden Age of Amalgam (Mid-20th Century)

After all the trouble at first, dental amalgam became super common from the early 1900s onward. By the 1950s through the 1980s, it was (and still is in some places) the main way dentists fixed teeth. Just about every cavity I had as a kid got filled with those shiny silver bits.

Why was it so popular?

• Durable: The fillings could take years and years of chewing
• Cheap: Way less expensive than gold
• Simple: Easy for dentists to use just about anywhere

But just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

Rising Concerns and New Alternatives (1980s–1990s)

By the end of the 20th century, worries started to rise about amalgam. More people noticed dental fillings let out tiny bits of mercury vapor when you chew or brush your teeth. I remember reading stories about people who were worried about allergies, nerve problems, and more. Most patients, including me, weren’t big fans of having a bunch of metal in their smile either.

Along the way, dental materials got better and better. Composite resins—tooth-colored plastic fillings—showed up, thanks to the work of Dr. Ray Bowen in the 1960s. By the 1990s, they were looking great and working well. All of a sudden, people had a real choice: stick with old-school amalgam, or try something newer.

Regulatory Action and Modern Phase-Down (2000s–Present)

Things changed fast. Some countries, like Norway and Sweden, were the first to totally ban dental amalgam (Norway in 2008, Sweden in 2009), because of worries about health and the environment.

Worldwide, the Minamata Convention on Mercury (signed in 2013) asked everyone to slowly stop using dental amalgam. Here in the US, the EPA said in 2017 that dental offices had to start using special separators, to keep mercury out of the water.

The FDA looked again at the science in 2020 and said dentists shouldn’t use amalgam in pregnant or breastfeeding women, kids under six, or people with certain health problems like kidney issues or mercury allergies.

Over in the European Union, amalgam mostly stopped being used for kids and pregnant women as of July 1, 2018. Across most dental clinics, the main trend was clear—composite or “white” fillings were now the go-to option.

Where We Stand Today (2020s Onwards)

So, did dentists everywhere just stop using mercury all at once? No—but almost. By 2020 in the US, less than 5–10% of new fillings were made with amalgam, way down from over half in the 1990s.

Most dentists I talk with, like folks at the dental ceramics lab I visited, haven’t put in a mercury filling in a long time. For people living in places with tough mercury rules, silver fillings are pretty much gone.

Key Factors Driving the Shift Away from Mercury Amalgam

Health Concerns

People ask all the time—are mercury fillings dangerous? There isn’t an easy answer here. Most health groups, including the American Dental Association (ADA) and FDA, say amalgam is safe for most grownups. But there’s still a lot of debate about small amounts of mercury vapor, especially for folks who are more sensitive.

Big mercury problems from fillings are rare, but some people worry about things like “brain fog,” being tired, or other health issues. Some dental groups have called for a full stop, just to play it safe.

After everything I’ve read and after talking to many patients, here’s how I see it: if there are safer fillings that work just as well, why not use them—especially if you’re pregnant, thinking about it, or have little kids?

Environmental Impact

One thing I didn’t realize before is that dental mercury doesn’t just “disappear” after being used in a clinic. Leftover bits can get into water and end up in rivers and fish—and then back to us. The EPA even said dental offices used to be the biggest source of mercury going into city treatment plants before separator rules.

World agreements, especially the Minamata Convention, are trying to fix that. Over time, this has made dental labs, like the crown and bridge lab, and others find safer ways to deal with mercury and stop using it as much.

Advancements in Dental Materials

I used to worry that “white fillings” weren’t going to last as long as those old silver ones did. But dental materials have gotten way better.

• Composite Resins: These tooth-colored fillings today are strong, great looking, and stick to teeth really well. I’ve seen fillings in back teeth made from composite last for years.
• Glass Ionomer Cements: These are great for kids or hard-to-reach places in the mouth. They aren’t as strong as regular resin, but they slowly give off fluoride, which helps stop cavities.
• Advanced Ceramics and Zirconia: If you want something really hard and that looks like a real tooth, today’s ceramics—made in digital dental labs—are amazing.

Most people, myself included, want fillings to look like teeth and last a long time—and now, that’s possible.

Regulations and Policy

Laws and rules have had a big effect. When countries ban or control amalgam, dentists switch quickly. Groups like the ADA, dental associations in Europe, and the World Health Organization all say to use less dental mercury, especially for kids and moms-to-be.

What Replaced Mercury Fillings? Modern Dental Restoration Materials

Composite Resin Fillings

Now, if you go to the dentist for a filling, chances are you’ll get a composite resin instead of a silver one. These match your tooth color, stick right to the tooth (sometimes with less drilling), and look just like the rest of your tooth. They’re strong enough for most teeth.

Glass Ionomer Cements

Glass ionomer fillings are often used for little kids, small cavities, or places where the tooth can’t be kept bone dry. They aren’t as strong as other materials, but slowly put out fluoride, which can stop new cavities.

Ceramic and Other Metal-Free Options

For bigger holes or front teeth, dentists often use ceramic, emax, or zirconia fillings, made at special dental labs using new machines and computers. Work from today’s high-tech china dental labs can make crowns and fillings that look just like real teeth.

The old days of just one type of silver filling are over. Now, dentists can choose what works best and what looks best for each person.

Is Dental Amalgam Still Used Today?

With all the changes, you might wonder, “Do dentists still use mercury fillings at all?” The answer is yes, but usually only in special situations.

Some places, mostly where money is tight, might still use amalgam because it’s cheap and lasts a while. In places with fewer resources, old “silver” fillings can still make sense sometimes.

But health experts—including the FDA—now say not to use amalgam for:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Children under six years old
• People with kidney problems, nervous system issues, or mercury allergies

So, while it isn’t totally gone, amalgam is not the first choice anymore—and for almost all new fillings, people get mercury-free options.

Considerations If You Have Existing Mercury Fillings

This is something I’ve wondered myself—should I do anything about my old amalgam fillings? Is it better to leave them, or should I have them taken out?

Weighing Risks and Benefits

Most dentists, like Dr. Joe Dental, have told me that just having an amalgam filling isn’t a reason to worry. The real risk comes if a filling is broken, cracked, or if you take it out without the right safety steps.

Safe Mercury Removal

If you do decide to take them out (maybe because they’re broken, decayed, or you just want to), be sure to see a dentist who follows “mercury-safe” methods. The IAOMT’s SMART system, for example, uses special suction, rubber covers, and extra safety equipment to keep mercury dust and vapor away.

Never try to have an old filling taken out by a dentist who doesn’t use these safety steps!

Regular Checkups Matter

Even if you keep your old amalgam fillings, get your dentist to check them every time you visit. All fillings wear out in the end—but with checkups, you can avoid bigger problems or costs.

Conclusion: A Safer, More Aesthetic Future for Dental Care

After looking back, I’m thankful for what I found out about mercury fillings and how dentistry has changed. Like all health care, dentistry changes with science, technology, and what people want. For a big part of the last century, amalgam was the king of fillings. It helped a lot of folks, including my family, because it was strong and cheap.

But worries about health and the planet—plus huge improvements in dental materials, from composite resins to new ceramics—mean we’re in a new era of dental care. Most of us want our fillings to be safe, natural-looking, and strong. Dental labs, from emax dental labs to high-tech labs in China, now focus on using modern, mercury-free materials.

If you ever have questions, talk with your dentist about what’s in your mouth and what choices you have. It’s your smile! And thanks to science and greater awareness, it’s safer and better looking than ever.

This article was reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS, a practicing dentist and member of the American Dental Association.