When Did Dentists Stop Using Silver Fillings? The Truth About Amalgam’s Decline (And Today’s Tooth-Friendly Alternatives)

Have you ever noticed those old silver fillings in your or your parents’ teeth and wondered, “Are dentists still doing those?” Maybe you’ve heard that silver fillings have mercury or that dentists don’t use them anymore, and you’re worried about your own teeth or just interested in what comes next.

You’re not alone. Whether you’re worried about safety, want something that looks better, or just want to know how it all works, it’s a great question—and an important one. Let’s break down exactly when and why most dentists stopped using silver fillings, what took their place, and what you need to know today.

In This Article

Here’s what you’ll find as you read on:

• Silver Fillings: What Are They and Why Did They Matter?
• When Did Dentists Phase Out Amalgam Fillings?
• Why Did Dentists Move Away from Silver (Amalgam) Fillings?
• What Are the Alternatives to Silver Fillings?
• Do Dentists Still Use Silver Fillings Today?
• Should I Replace My Silver Fillings?
• Looking Forward: The Future of Dental Fillings
• Key Takeaways and What To Do Next

Silver Fillings: What Are They and Why Did They Matter?

Let’s start from the beginning. “Silver fillings,” or amalgam fillings, have been used for nearly 200 years. These fillings were made of mercury mixed with silver, tin, copper, and sometimes zinc.

Think of having a hole in your tooth. A dentist would fill it with this paste, which quickly got hard and strong, so you could eat and live without pain. These fillings were cheap, really strong (great for back teeth), and lasted a long time.

But the problem is, silver fillings have about 50% mercury—a fact most people didn’t worry about before. As science got better and people got concerned about health and the environment, dentists started to reconsider using silver fillings so often.

When Did Dentists Phase Out Amalgam Fillings?

If you’re looking for a specific date when dentists stopped using silver fillings everywhere, you won’t find it. There wasn’t a sudden day when all the silver fillings disappeared. It was more of a slow change, like people switching from paper maps to using GPS on their phones.

Here’s how it happened:

The Minamata Convention on Mercury (2017): The Big Start

In 2017, a worldwide agreement called The Minamata Convention on Mercury told countries to slowly use less mercury in all things—including dental fillings. Its goal? Lower mercury pollution for people and the planet.

• The agreement asked for a slow change, not a sudden ban. Dentists and countries needed time to adjust.
• Why not a ban? Some places, especially where people can’t afford the more expensive fillings, still depend on silver fillings.

Europe Takes the Lead (2018 and After)

The European Union (EU) led the way:

• In 2018, the EU stopped allowing dental amalgam for children under 15, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
• Many EU countries plan to stop silver fillings completely by 2030—some even sooner.

Some countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark already banned or greatly lowered amalgam use years before this, for health and environmental reasons.

The US Moves Slowly but Changes (2020-2022)

In the United States, things moved slower:

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) said for years that amalgam fillings were safe for most people.
• In 2020, the FDA gave new advice: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, people with kidney problems, and people with mercury allergies should avoid amalgam fillings if they can.
• There’s no outright ban in the US, but use has dropped a lot. New tips say mercury-free fillings are better for people at higher risk.

Other Countries: Lots of Differences

Rules and timelines change by country:

• Norway and Sweden: All-out bans since the late 2000s.
• UK and Australia: Strong limits—no silver fillings for kids, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Japan, Canada, Brazil: Less use, mostly for new fillings.
• China and many other countries: Still use amalgam mainly because it’s cheaper.

Bottom line? There’s no single “stop date.” For most of the world, silver fillings started going away about 10 to 20 years ago, especially for kids and those with higher health risks.

Why Did Dentists Move Away from Silver (Amalgam) Fillings?

Dentists want things that work well. For years, amalgam worked. But things started to change for a few key reasons.

Worries About Mercury: Health and Environment

Health Concerns

Silver fillings have mercury, which can let out tiny amounts of vapor, especially when chewing or when the filling goes in or is taken out. The good news: For healthy adults, studies show very little risk. But for:

• Pregnant women and children
• People with kidney problems
• People who are allergic to mercury

…even small amounts could be risky. Most research says it’s safe for regular adults, but with some “maybe” involved, being careful makes sense.

Environmental Concerns

Here’s something people might not think about: Dentists’ offices used to wash a lot of mercury into the water, which ended up in rivers and oceans. Mercury is a strong pollutant, hurting fish and wildlife.

Now, dentists have to use amalgam separators—devices that keep mercury from going down the drain. Still, people want to use less mercury for the environment.

Wanting Better-Looking Teeth

Let’s be honest: Silver fillings are easy to see. Nowadays, people want their tooth repairs to blend in. Just like color TVs replaced black-and-white, patients want white, “invisible” fillings.

Better Tooth Repair Materials

A long time ago, silver was used because it was the strongest thing around. Now, we have composite resin fillings (the “white” ones), which are strong, match your teeth, and stick right to them—often with less drilling. Other options like porcelain, glass ionomer, and zirconia are available too.

Changing Guidelines and What People Want

Groups like the ADA, World Health Organization, Health Canada, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have all changed their advice recently. Patients want fillings that look good and don’t have mercury.

What Are the Alternatives to Silver Fillings?

Dentistry has changed with the times, so there are now lots of safe, good-looking, and strong options for fillings.

Composite Resin Fillings: The New Favorite

What are they?

• White fillings made from plastic and tiny glass bits.
• Stick right to your teeth, so dentists can save more of your natural tooth.
• Work well for front or back teeth.

Why people and dentists like them:

• Hard to see—can match your tooth color.
• No mercury, no metal look.
• Safe for everyone, including kids and pregnant women.
• Can last 7–15 years or even longer with good care.

Any downsides?

• Cost a bit more than silver fillings (but the price is dropping).
• Not always as strong for very big back fillings, but they keep getting better.

Porcelain, Glass Ionomer, Gold, and Zirconia: Special Choices

Porcelain (like inlays and onlays):

• Really durable and natural looking—pretty close to real tooth enamel.
• Good for big cavities or if you need more than a filling.
• Costs more, often done in two visits.

Glass Ionomer:

• Releases fluoride to protect teeth.
• Good for kids’ teeth, small cavities, or quick fixes.
• Not as tough for big chewing areas.

Gold Fillings:

• Can last for decades—some gold fillings are still working after 40–50 years!
• Hardly used now because of price and how they look.

Zirconia:

• Very strong and friendly to the body.
• More common for crowns or big repairs—get them from a good dental ceramics lab.

For care tailored to you, top places like modern digital dental labs or a china dental lab have the latest materials, giving people even more choices.

Do Dentists Still Use Silver Fillings Today?

Short answer: Not much. But here’s the long story, in case you care about price, strength, or finding a dentist who still does them.

Silver fillings aren’t completely banned everywhere. In some places where people can’t afford the newer fillings, silver can still make sense—it’s tough, cheap, and works. Some dentists use it if the mouth is too wet to place other fillings. But, for most people in North America, Europe, and Australia, silver fillings are just used in special cases:

• Patients really ask for them because of price or strength.
• Dental students still learn how to do them, just in case.
• Military or charity dental care might use them because they last and are less expensive.

But here’s the thing: Most dentists choose mercury-free, white fillings these days. Patients want them, and they look better.

In up-to-date offices or clinics working with advanced labs, mercury-free and nice-looking fillings are the new normal.

Should I Replace My Silver Fillings?

Do you have some old silver fillings? Or know someone who does? Maybe you’re thinking, “Should I get them taken out and switched for something else?”

Here’s when you might want to do it:

Reasons to Remove or Change a Silver Filling

• The filling is broken, cracked, or not fitting well. Fillings wear out—just like car tires.
• You see a dark spot or new cavity under an old filling.
• Your dentist finds something wrong at your check-up.
• You get an allergy or sensitivity to metals, or you already have one.
• You’re pregnant, plan to be, have kidney disease, or certain health issues—and want less mercury.
• You just don’t like how it looks and want white fillings instead.

Play It Safe: Smart Removal

If you want old silver fillings taken out, find a dentist who knows how to do it safely. This usually means:

• Using a rubber cover (dam) to separate your tooth from the rest of your mouth.
• Strong suction and good air cleaners to catch any mercury.
• Cutting out the filling in big pieces (not grinding it all up).
• Lots of water to keep things cool and stop vapor.
• Protective gear for both you and your dentist.

Never try to take out an old silver filling yourself or without a dentist—it’s more dangerous to remove them wrong than to leave them alone.

If Your Fillings Are Fine and Not Bothering You

For most healthy adults, the American Dental Association and FDA say that keeping your old silver fillings is safe unless there’s a real need to change them. Taking them out for no reason can even damage your tooth.

In short: If you’re worried, talk to your dentist. They’ll help you look at the pros and cons for your health and what works best for you.

Looking Forward: The Future of Dental Fillings

Dentistry keeps moving forward with science, what people want, and better tools. So, what’s coming next?

Mercury-Free Fillings Are Taking Over

Silver fillings are fading out. Now, there are more tooth-colored materials, better ways to stick to teeth, and faster treatments that can sometimes be done in just one visit with cool new 3D dental lab tech.

More Safe and Custom Choices

Materials like zirconia and new composites are getting better, looking super natural, lasting longer, and being safer—especially with help from specialized labs.

Stopping cavities is becoming more important than fixing them. Sealants, fluoride, and better brushing means fewer big cavities to fix in the first place.

Key Takeaways and What To Do Next

Here’s what you really need to know:

• Dentists slowly stopped using silver (amalgam) fillings, mostly after the 1990s but especially after 2010. Global rules like the Minamata Convention and EU laws were big steps. The US now gives strong advice for certain groups to avoid them.
• Main reasons for the switch: Safety for kids, pregnant women, and certain medical conditions; protecting the environment; people wanting better looks; and big improvements in filling materials.
• What do we use now? White (composite) fillings are the most common now. Porcelain, gold, glass ionomer, and zirconia are also used, depending on what’s best for you and what your dentist says.
• Do dentists still use silver fillings? Very rarely. Some places and situations still need them, but for most people, they’re not used much anymore.
• Should you take out your old fillings? Only if they’re bad, there’s a cavity, you’re at risk, or you just want to for cosmetic reasons. Always let a trained dentist do it the safe way.
• Dental technology is awesome. Prevention, new materials, and digital custom work mean you get better, longer-lasting, and safer choices.

Still have questions?

• Talk to your dentist. Ask what’s in your mouth, what’s best for you, and what you can do.
• Be proactive. Go for check-ups so you can fix little problems before they grow big.
• If you’re a dentist, keep learning. Working with good labs—whether it’s a zirconia lab or places for advanced ceramics—means your patients get the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it dangerous to have old silver fillings in my mouth?

If they’re still in good shape and you’re healthy, there’s little risk for most adults. But certain groups (like pregnant women, little kids, people with allergies or kidney problems) should avoid getting new silver fillings and can talk to a dentist if they want to remove old ones.

2. Are white (composite) fillings as strong as silver ones?

The newest composite fillings are pretty strong and work well on front and back teeth. For really big holes, your dentist might suggest something else, like porcelain, gold, or zirconia.

3. Will my dental insurance pay for composite fillings?

It depends on your insurance and where you live. In many places, insurance now covers white fillings about as well as silver ones—especially for front teeth. Always check first.

4. Can I get only mercury-free fillings?

Yes. Most dentists already use mercury-free fillings unless you ask for silver. If you’re worried, ask your dentist what materials they use.

5. What’s the safest way to take out old silver fillings?

Let a dentist do it with all the right safety steps: good suction, air filters, a rubber dam, and breaking out big pieces. Don’t ever try to do it yourself.

Final Thought: You Deserve a Smile You Love—and Trust

Dentistry is changing quickly, and the old “silver standard” isn’t what it used to be. That’s actually good news. You now have safer and better options to keep your smile healthy, strong, and good-looking.

Worried about your old fillings? Want to know what’s best? Have an honest talk with your dentist. They’ll help you pick the best option—so you can eat, smile, and live with peace of mind.

And remember: The best filling is no filling at all! Brush, floss, see your dentist on time, and keep smiling. That’s the real secret.

Info in this article is based on the latest advice from the American Dental Association, FDA, EU guidance, and World Health Organization. Always talk to your own dentist for advice that’s just for you.