I had a silver amalgam tooth filling fall out.  It was about a month
after I realized I had the hole until I was able to get to the
dentist.  My dentist gave me options of root canal/crowning, extraction
or simply drilling and filling with mercury filling.  He did a "tap"
sensitivity test, and we decided to try the filling option first.  I
went back in the next day for the filling.  I told my dentist that as
he drills the tooth and realize that the decay is too deep, we will
proceed with the root canal.  Instead, while drilling the tooth, he
decided to take a completely different route, and decided to "pulp
cap."  However, before capping it, he did not remove all the decay for
he was afraid to drill too far to my nerves as he did not give me any
local anathesia.  Questions: 1. Will this "pulp capping" really work
longterm, or will that decay left behind spread and cause future
problems.? 2.  The mercury filling I swallowed.  What are the implications?

Your dentist did you a favor by not giving you a root canal.  A root
canal tooth is a dead tooth and generates anaerobic bacteria that
seeps into your system and taxes your immune system.  Normally one
would not leave a dead organ in the body.  For information on
healthful dentistry try the LIBRARY on this site   
http://www.drhuggins.com.

I am aware that the expiration has long passed on this question, but
for further reference on the subject:

If your dentist admits having left decay behind, a pulp cap is a bad
idea. Pulp caps only can truly work in a tooth that is freed from
decay and bacteria and also has a living nerve (an unhealthy nerve can
survive through this procedure).

A pulp cap is just a filling. Just like a cavity. The area is cleaned
of all decay and then refilled. If decay is left behind, it WILL be
there causing problems. During a filling, the area MUST be cleared of
everything- down to healthy bone. If he did not do so- I'm sorry to
say it is a bad route to take.

As for the mercury:

Mercury in the form of an amalgam filling cannot be broken down by the
digestive process. If it could, it wouldnt work a s a filling material
(after all, saliva and chewing are both part of the digestive
process). Having ingested it as a solid, the threat of mercury
poisoning is low.

If you feel that your overall mood is changing, you may want to go in
for mercury level testing. You'd find a change in demeanor (frequent
anger, lowered desire for sex or other physical activity) as well as
an overall physical and mental exhaustion. Memory loss can be noticed-
essentially I am saying, if you dont feel like yourself, murcury may
be the cause.

Again, I know its well past the date of question, but you never know
who will need a bit of info.