Does dental amalgam cause cracks to teeth?
Dental amalgam is a common material used in dentistry to fill cavities and repair teeth. It is a mixture of metals, including silver, tin, copper and mercury, which are combined to form a strong, durable material.
While dental amalgam was historically a popular choice for dental fillings due to its strength and affordability, it can cause cracks to form in teeth over time. The primary reason why dental amalgam causes cracks to form in teeth is due to its composition.
Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, which expand and contract at different rates when exposed to temperature changes. This can cause the amalgam to expand and contract at different rates than the tooth, leading to stress on the tooth structure. Over time, this stress can cause cracks to form in the tooth.
While dental amalgam was historically a popular choice for dental fillings due to its strength and affordability, it can cause cracks to form in teeth over time. The primary reason why dental amalgam causes cracks to form in teeth is due to its composition.
Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, which expand and contract at different rates when exposed to temperature changes. This can cause the amalgam to expand and contract at different rates than the tooth, leading to stress on the tooth structure. Over time, this stress can cause cracks to form in the tooth.

Another reason why dental amalgam can cause cracks to form in teeth is due to its hardness. Dental amalgam is much harder than the enamel of a tooth, which can cause the amalgam to wear away at the enamel over time. This can lead to cracks forming in the tooth, as the enamel is weakened and unable to withstand the pressure of chewing.
Finally, dental amalgam can cause cracks to form in teeth due to corrosion. The metals in dental amalgam are susceptible to corrosion, which can lead to the formation of tiny cracks in the tooth structure. These tiny cracks can then expand over time, leading to larger cracks in the tooth.
In Australia, the use of dental amalgam is still common, although there is an increasing trend towards the use of alternative materials such as composite resin. This is due to the fact that composite resin is less likely to cause cracks in teeth, as it is more flexible and less prone to corrosion.
Overall, dental amalgam can cause cracks to form in teeth due to its composition, hardness and susceptibility to corrosion. At Smile City Dental Clinic we choose not to use amalgam fillings.
Finally, dental amalgam can cause cracks to form in teeth due to corrosion. The metals in dental amalgam are susceptible to corrosion, which can lead to the formation of tiny cracks in the tooth structure. These tiny cracks can then expand over time, leading to larger cracks in the tooth.
In Australia, the use of dental amalgam is still common, although there is an increasing trend towards the use of alternative materials such as composite resin. This is due to the fact that composite resin is less likely to cause cracks in teeth, as it is more flexible and less prone to corrosion.
Overall, dental amalgam can cause cracks to form in teeth due to its composition, hardness and susceptibility to corrosion. At Smile City Dental Clinic we choose not to use amalgam fillings.