Dental amalgam, also known as silver fillings, is a type of dental filling material made from a combination of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. It has been used for over 150 years and is still widely used today despite concerns about its safety.
Dental amalgam is strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive. It is also easy to place and can be used to fill both small and large cavities. However, it does contain mercury, which is a toxic metal. Mercury can be released from dental amalgam fillings over time, and some people are concerned that this could pose a health risk.