http://www.thinkcorps.com/2004/04/22/teeth/ Making Things in Portland, OR Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:04:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.thinkcorps.com/2004/04/22/teeth/comment-page-1/#comment-5 rs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://thinkcorps.com/index.php/archives/2004/04/22/teeth/#comment-5 Of course, teeth crack not only because metal is stronger than them, but also because mercury fillings expand over time, sort of imploding the teeth. Supposedly, viable alternatives have been around since the 1800s, and I've read (but can't entirely vouch for the source) that the ADA was founded by a group of renegade dentists who insisted on using mercury purely for the profit motive (cheaper material at the time). By the way, if teeth start cracking from expanding metal fillings, it's often better to get a crown rather than fill it again. The latter isn't as structurally sound and could lead to pulling the tooth down the line. Damn, I sound like a reputable dentist, don't I? Of course, teeth crack not only because metal is stronger than them, but also because mercury fillings expand over time, sort of imploding the teeth. Supposedly, viable alternatives have been around since the 1800s, and I’ve read (but can’t entirely vouch for the source) that the ADA was founded by a group of renegade dentists who insisted on using mercury purely for the profit motive (cheaper material at the time). By the way, if teeth start cracking from expanding metal fillings, it’s often better to get a crown rather than fill it again. The latter isn’t as structurally sound and could lead to pulling the tooth down the line. Damn, I sound like a reputable dentist, don’t I?

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