2240 Grande Blvd SE Suite 101 Rio Rancho, NM 87124
A Safer, Mercury-free Approach to Dental Care
For years now, the global dental community has debated whether or not mercury is a suitable material for dental fillings. Although there is still much research to be done, Fife Dental Care in Rio Rancho, NM has taken a clear stand — we provide mercury-free dental care for all of our patients.
This decision reflects our commitment to patient health, comfort, and confidence. We believe you deserve restorations that are not only effective and durable, but that also align with a cleaner, more biocompatible approach to your dental care.
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What is Mercury-free Dentistry
Traditional silver amalgam fillings contain a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Amalgam has been used in dentistry for over 150 years and remains a widely used restorative material in many practices. However, growing awareness of the potential concerns associated with mercury — combined with significant advances in composite resin materials — has led many dental practices and patients to move away from amalgam altogether.
Mercury-free dentistry means using composite resin and other biocompatible materials exclusively for restorations — no amalgam, no mercury, no metal fillings. At Fife Dental Care, this is the standard for every patient we see.
Why We Provide Mercury-free Dental Restorations
Fife Dental Care has chosen to be a mercury-free practice for a number of reasons — reasons that benefit our patients directly.
Future Dental Health
Amalgam fillings require a minimum amount of space to be placed effectively. If removing decay alone doesn’t create enough room, healthy tooth structure must also be removed. Once placed, the mercury content causes the material to expand and contract with temperature changes, which can put pressure on the tooth and lead to small fractures over time.
Composite resins, by contrast, only require removing the decayed portion of the tooth. The material bonds directly to the tooth, creating a seal and supporting the remaining enamel rather than placing stress on it.
Aesthetic Appeal
Fife Dental Care uses composite resins for all restorative fillings. In addition to providing comparable strength and durability to amalgam fillings, composite resins can be precisely color-matched to your natural tooth color — making restorative work virtually invisible. There is no dark metal showing through thin enamel, no discoloration over time, and no visible evidence that a tooth has been filled.
A Cleaner Approach to Your Care
Our choice to be mercury-free is one part of a broader commitment at Fife Dental Care to put patients completely at ease about every aspect of their dental health. Knowing that your fillings contain no mercury, that your restorations are biocompatible, and that your dentist has made a conscious choice to prioritize your long-term well-being — that peace of mind matters.
Can Old Amalgam Fillings Be Replaced
Many patients who come to us with older silver amalgam fillings ask whether they should be replaced. The answer depends on the condition of the existing filling. We do not recommend replacing amalgam fillings that are in good condition simply for cosmetic or precautionary reasons — removing a functioning filling carries its own risks and costs.
However, if an existing amalgam filling is showing signs of cracking, leaking, or deterioration, allowing decay to develop underneath, and causing sensitivity or discomfort— then switching to a composite replacement at that point is a natural and beneficial choice. If you have questions about your existing amalgam fillings, bring it up at your next visit and Dr. Fife will give you an honest assessment.
Complete Care That Puts You at Ease
Our choice to be mercury-free is one way that Fife Dental Care strives to put patients at complete ease about every aspect of their dental health. We also help patients manage dental anxiety through a variety of stress-management strategies and oral conscious sedation when requested — because we believe that feeling comfortable and confident at the dentist should be the standard, not the exception.
For the highest quality, mercury-free dental care for you and your family in Fife Dental Care, contact Fife Dental Care to schedule an appointment today.
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Fife Dental Care is conveniently located in Rio Rancho, NM and welcomes patients from across the greater Albuquerque area, including Corrales, Bernalillo, Paradise Hills, and surrounding communities.