Cape Town Smile Studios

This premolar has a large amalgam filling. Due to the external forces applied during expansion of the amalgam, known as metal creep, it will only be a matter of time before the tooth breaks (fractures).

Looking in the mirror, the arrow shows where the cusp of this premolar fractured. The cusp is actually loose, and can be removed.

Once the fractured cusp is removed it can be seen that the fracture line is under the gum. The patient now needs gum surgery so that the margin ends above the gumline.

This molar had a large amalgam which caused various fracture lines in the tooth, seen here as black lines. These lines are so common in amalgam filled teeth that dentists do not recognise them for the problems they can cause.

A mirror view of the upper teeth. The dark fillings are mercury amalgams.

See if you can spot the 3 fracture lines in this tooth. The reason for fracture of amalgam filled teeth is the expantion of the metal filling that takes place over time. Ever wondered why that tooth broke when you only had eaten hot soup?

The black arrows indicate the fracture lines.