Mercury-Free Dentistry in Chesterfield, MO
 At Wildhorse Dental in Chesterfield, MO, we practice mercury-free dentistry as our standard approach, which means we use tooth-colored fillings for all new restorations and offer to replace existing silver amalgam fillings with composite when patients prefer. This is a material choice we have made for our office, not a verdict on amalgam itself, which is still considered a safe restorative material by the FDA and the American Dental Association.
Patients choose mercury-free dentistry for different reasons. Some prefer the appearance: composite blends with natural enamel, while amalgam shows as silver-gray when you laugh or open wide. Some prefer the feel: composite does not expand and contract with hot and cold the way metal does, which can stress surrounding tooth structure over time. Some have personal reasons related to mercury exposure, even though the amount in a dental amalgam is small and chemically bound into the alloy.
Whatever the reason, our position is the same: when you come in for a new filling or a replacement of an old one, we use composite by default. If you have a specific reason to prefer amalgam, we can discuss that during the consultation visit.
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What Mercury-Free Dentistry Means at Our Office
 Mercury-free dentistry at our practice means we do not place silver amalgam restorations of any kind. Amalgam is the dental term for the silver-colored filling material used in dentistry for over 150 years. It contains a mix of metals (silver, tin, copper, and elemental mercury) bound together as an alloy. The standard alternative we use is composite resin, the same tooth-colored material we place for tooth-colored fillings when treating new cavities. For larger restorations where composite alone is not enough, we use porcelain or zirconia crowns, inlays, or onlays, all of which are also metal-free.
We do not promise that mercury-free fillings deliver health benefits beyond the dental work itself. We are a general and family practice, not a biological or holistic dentistry office, and we do not test for mercury exposure, recommend supplements, or claim that removing old amalgam fillings will improve any non-dental condition. What we do is straightforward: we choose composite as our default restorative material because we prefer how it looks, how it bonds to the tooth, and how it preserves more of the natural tooth structure when we place it.
Why We Use Composite by Default
Composite has practical advantages beyond appearance, and those are the reasons we use it as our default:
- Color match – Composite is shaded to blend with the surrounding enamel, so a filling on your premolar or molar does not show as silver when you laugh or open wide.
- Conservation of tooth structure – Amalgam fillings require a wider, deeper preparation because the material relies on mechanical retention to stay in place. Composite bonds chemically to the tooth, so we can keep the preparation smaller and preserve more of the original tooth.
- No thermal expansion mismatch – Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes more than tooth structure does, which over decades can stress the surrounding enamel and contribute to cracks. Composite expands at a rate much closer to natural tooth.
- Easier repair – When a composite filling chips or wears, we can usually add new composite to the existing one without redoing the whole restoration. Amalgam typically has to be fully replaced when it fails.
None of these advantages mean amalgam is a bad material. They mean composite fits the way we want to practice better.
Your Mercury-Free Dentistry Team in Chesterfield
Both Dr. Dhaniele Miller, DDS, and Dr. Dan Miller, DDS, place all new fillings as composite at our Chesterfield office and follow the same approach when replacing existing amalgams. Dr. Dhaniele Miller graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 2013 and took over the practice in 2021 after Dr. Larson's retirement. More on her bio.
Dr. Dan Miller, DDS, has been with the practice since 2010 and places composite for all his filling work. Both doctors handle filling placements and amalgam replacements at our Chesterfield office, and the technique is consistent regardless of which doctor you see. More on his bio.
Wildhorse Dental has been a Chesterfield family practice since 2000. The shift away from amalgam in our office is part of a broader pattern in general dentistry: composite formulations have advanced enough over the past two decades that they perform well for the majority of filling situations our office handles. The patients we see for amalgam replacement are usually existing patients of the practice whose old fillings have started to fail at the margins, or new patients who specifically prefer composite for their next round of restorative work.
The Mercury-Free Filling Process
 Most filling visits take 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, whether we are placing a new composite or replacing an existing amalgam. The basic steps are similar in both situations, with extra care during removal when an old filling is involved.
- Examination and decision – We start with an exam using digital X-rays and our intraoral camera to confirm whether you need a new filling, whether an existing restoration needs replacement, or whether the tooth needs more than a filling. For a small surface cavity, we move directly to placement. For a large lesion or a failing existing restoration, we may discuss whether a crown would be a better long-term option than a filling.
- Local anesthesia – Most filling work needs local anesthesia, even for small cavities. The numbing takes effect in a few minutes, and we do not start the actual filling work until you tell us the area is fully numb.
- Removing decay or old filling material – For a new cavity, we remove the decayed tooth structure with a combination of hand instruments and small dental burs. For an existing amalgam being replaced, we use high-volume suction throughout to clear debris from the working area, remove the amalgam in larger sections rather than aerosolizing it with high-speed instruments, and rinse thoroughly before placing the new composite.
- Bonding and placing composite – We etch the prepared tooth with a mild acid for about 15 seconds, rinse, dry, and apply a bonding agent. We then place the composite in layers, curing each layer with a blue light for 20 to 40 seconds before the next layer goes in. Layering allows us to match the natural translucency of enamel and build the filling to the right contour. We record the shade we use in your chart, which makes any future touch-ups (if needed years later) match the original.
- Polishing and bite check – Once the composite is fully placed and cured, we shape it to the final contour with diamond burs and polish it to match the surrounding tooth surface. We check your bite with articulating paper and adjust until you can chew without any high spots. If the bite feels off after a day or two of normal eating, you can call our Chesterfield office for a quick adjustment within the same week.
You can eat and drink as soon as the numbing wears off, usually within an hour or two. The composite is fully hardened during curing, so there is no setting time to wait through.
Benefits of Mercury-Free Dentistry
Patients who choose mercury-free dentistry typically appreciate the same set of practical benefits, regardless of their initial reason for asking about it:
- Aesthetic match – Composite fillings are virtually invisible from a normal conversational distance, even on premolars and molars that show when you laugh. We document the surrounding shade with our intraoral camera before we start, so the match stays consistent across multiple visits if you have several teeth treated over time.
- Smaller preparations – Bonded composite does not need the wider mechanical retention amalgam requires, which means we preserve more of your natural tooth structure when we place the filling. We document the original tooth surface in your chart with intraoral camera images for future reference.
- No metal allergy concerns – A small percentage of patients have sensitivity to nickel, mercury, or other metals in dental alloys. Composite is metal-free and avoids this concern entirely. We see this most often in patients who have had reactions to costume jewelry or to previous dental work.
- Repairable rather than replaceable – When a composite filling wears or chips after years of use, we can often add new composite to the existing restoration in a quick visit rather than redoing the whole filling. Amalgam typically has to be fully replaced when it fails.
- Consistent material across all your work – When you have multiple fillings placed over years, all of them are composite. The aesthetics stay consistent because we use the same material category for every patient, every tooth.
None of these benefits depend on amalgam being unsafe. They are reasons patients prefer composite when given the choice, and we believe in giving patients the choice.
Why Choose Our Team for Mercury-Free Dentistry
Wildhorse Dental practices mercury-free dentistry as our standard approach. The choice is part of a broader preference for conservative, aesthetics-conscious restorative work that runs through everything we do at our Chesterfield office.
We are honest about what mercury-free dentistry is and is not. It is a material choice (composite over amalgam) that we make for how composite looks against natural enamel and how it preserves more of the surrounding tooth. It is not a holistic or biological dentistry practice, and we do not claim that switching materials will resolve fatigue, headaches, or other systemic concerns. If those are your reasons for wanting amalgam removed, the right next step is a conversation with your physician, not your dentist.
Both doctors handle composite placement with attention to layering and shade matching, particularly for visible front-tooth fillings. The technical work is the same regardless of whether the filling is replacing decay or replacing an old amalgam. We document the shade and surface contours in your chart with our intraoral camera, which makes any future touch-up work accurate without guesswork.
For patients without dental insurance, our Wellness Plan applies a 15% discount to most procedures, including composite fillings and amalgam replacements. We are also in-network with Delta Dental. For insured patients, our front office team checks each plan before we start and tells you in advance whether your insurer downgrades composite fillings on back teeth to the amalgam reimbursement rate, so there are no surprises on the bill.
Mercury-Free Dentistry Cost and Financing
Composite fillings cost more than amalgam fillings to place. The materials cost more, the placement takes longer (composite is layered and cured in increments; amalgam is mixed and packed in a single step), and the technique-sensitive bonding adds another step. The cost difference per tooth is moderate rather than dramatic, and most patients consider it worthwhile for the aesthetic and structural benefits.
Insurance coverage is where it gets complicated. Some dental plans cover composite at the same rate as amalgam regardless of which tooth is filled. Others apply a "least expensive alternative treatment" provision that pays out at the amalgam rate for back teeth, leaving you to pay the difference if you choose composite. A few plans do not cover composite on molars at all and reimburse only at the amalgam rate. Our front office team verifies your specific plan's composite coverage before any work begins and provides the out-of-pocket figure in writing.
For replacement of existing amalgam fillings that are not failing, insurance typically does not cover the work because the existing filling is still functional. Patients pay out of pocket for elective amalgam replacement. Our insurance and financing options include the Wellness Plan discount and standard third-party financing for patients planning multiple replacements at once.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you have an existing amalgam filling you would like replaced, a new cavity that needs filling, or simply want to talk through what mercury-free dentistry would look like for your existing work, the next step is a 30-minute consultation. Call Wildhorse Dental at 636-537-0447 or request an appointment online. We are at 150 Long Rd., #100 in Chesterfield, MO 63005. You can also contact us with any questions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is amalgam actually dangerous?
The American Dental Association and the FDA continue to consider dental amalgam safe for the general population. The FDA has issued specific recommendations that pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under six, people with certain neurological or kidney conditions, and patients allergic to mercury or other amalgam components consider alternatives, but amalgam itself is not classified as harmful for the general population. Our practice uses composite by default because we prefer how it looks against natural enamel and how it preserves more of the surrounding tooth, not because we consider amalgam dangerous.
Should I have my old amalgam fillings removed?
Not unless the filling is failing. An old amalgam restoration that is intact, sealing well, and not causing decay around its edges can stay in place indefinitely. Replacing a working amalgam means removing healthy tooth structure to extract the filling, which is more invasive than leaving it alone. We recommend amalgam replacement when the filling is cracked, leaking, decayed around the margins, or has been in place long enough that we can see secondary decay on X-rays. The replacement is then handled like any other tooth-colored filling we place.
How long do composite fillings last?
Modern composite fillings last 7 to 10 years on average, with longer service life for fillings on smaller surfaces and shorter for large fillings on molars under heavy chewing force. The lifespan has improved significantly over the past two decades as composite formulations have gotten stronger and more wear-resistant. We document the placement date in your chart and check the filling at every six-month cleaning to catch wear early.
Will my insurance cover composite fillings on back teeth?
Coverage typically breaks down by tooth type and plan terms. Most plans with a "least expensive alternative treatment" (LEAT) provision cover composite on front teeth at the full composite rate, because composite is the standard cosmetic option for front teeth, but downgrade composite on premolars and molars to the amalgam reimbursement rate, leaving you to pay the difference. That difference per tooth is typically modest but adds up across multiple back-tooth fillings. Dental benefits reset on January 1 for most plans, so larger composite work can be split across two benefit years if budget timing matters.
Is the procedure for removing amalgam different from a normal filling?
The placement steps are identical once we are ready to bond composite. The difference is the removal phase, which calls for extra care to avoid disturbing amalgam particles into the working area. The visit typically runs about 10 to 15 minutes longer than a comparable new filling because we are also removing the existing alloy and rinsing thoroughly before bonding. We do not claim a specific certified removal protocol such as SMART or IAOMT-affiliated technique; our approach is careful and consistent for every patient.
Are composite fillings as strong as amalgam?
Modern composite is durable enough to handle most filling sizes and locations. Amalgam was historically considered stronger for large back-tooth fillings, and that gap was real for the older composite formulations of the 1990s and 2000s. Today's composites have closed most of that gap. For very large restorations where the filling would replace more than half of the tooth's chewing surface, we usually recommend a crown rather than any filling at all, regardless of which material we are comparing.
Can a composite filling work for a large cavity?
Composite handles small to medium cavities reliably. For large cavities where the remaining tooth structure is thin or compromised, we usually recommend a porcelain or zirconia onlay or crown instead of a filling. This is not because of composite's limitations specifically; the same recommendation would apply to amalgam. When too much tooth is missing, the right answer is a restoration that covers and protects the remaining structure rather than a filling that fills the hole.
Why don't all dentists offer mercury-free dentistry?
Amalgam is still considered a safe and effective restorative material by major dental organizations, and many practices continue to offer it because it is less expensive, more forgiving of moisture during placement, and well documented for durability. Composite requires a more meticulous placement technique (proper isolation, layering, and curing all matter), which means it is less forgiving of contamination and takes longer in the chair. Some practices keep amalgam available specifically for cases where isolation is difficult or where the patient prefers it. Our office made the choice to use composite as our default for the reasons covered earlier on this page.
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