Removing Amalgam Fillings Safely and Replacing Them with White Composite
More and more patients are asking about replacing old amalgam fillings with white composite alternatives, whether for cosmetic reasons or simply to modernise older dental work. It’s a straightforward procedure when carried out correctly, but the process of removing amalgam does require some extra care. Here’s what’s involved, and why we take the precautions we do.
Why removal needs care
Amalgam fillings contain a small amount of mercury, bound within a stable metal alloy. While amalgam is considered safe to have in the mouth, the removal process briefly releases fine particles and vapour as the filling is drilled out. This is where technique matters. At Barbican Dental, we follow protocols designed to minimise exposure during removal, ensuring the process is as safe and comfortable as possible for both patient and clinical team.
How we make it safer
Several measures work together to reduce exposure during amalgam removal. High-speed suction is used throughout the procedure to capture particles and vapour as they’re created, drawing them away from the mouth rather than allowing them to linger. A rubber dam is often placed to isolate the tooth being treated, preventing fragments from being swallowed or coming into contact with the rest of the mouth. Cutting the filling into larger sections, rather than drilling it away entirely, also helps reduce the amount of fine particulate released. Good ventilation and appropriate protective equipment for the clinical team form part of our careful approach. Together, these steps allow the old filling to be removed thoroughly while keeping the process as controlled as possible.
Replacing with white composite
Once the amalgam has been fully removed, the tooth is prepared and a tooth-coloured composite filling is placed in its place. This is built up in layers and shaped to match the natural contours of your tooth, then polished to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Beyond the cosmetic improvement, many patients find composite fillings feel more comfortable, as they bond directly to the tooth structure rather than simply sitting within the cavity.
Why composite fillings are considered safe
Composite resin has been used in dentistry for decades and is well studied. It doesn’t contain mercury, and its materials are inert once set, meaning they don’t react with saliva or the surrounding tissue. Composite also bonds directly to the tooth, which can help support the remaining natural structure rather than simply filling a gap. As with any dental material, composite fillings do have a lifespan and will need monitoring and occasional replacement over time, but they remain one of the most widely used and trusted options in modern dentistry.
If you’ve been considering having old amalgam fillings replaced, it’s worth having a conversation with your dentist about whether it’s the right time, and what the process would involve for your particular teeth. Our Barbican practice is a short walk from Barbican, Moorgate, Liverpool Street and St Paul’s stations, so even a filling replacement can fit easily around a working day, with plenty of time to be back at your desk once you’re done.