Amalgam fillings for children are a perfectly safe option. One advantage of amalgam over resin is a time factor. The process is quicker since there is no need for curing time. With young children this can make the dental experience more pleasant. Talk with your Pediatric Dentist for their opinion or visit the American Dental Association website: www.ada.org. There is an education section for the public. Here is an except for that site regarding amalgam fillings:
Dental amalgam is a stable alloy made by combining elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper and possibly other metallic elements. Although dental amalgam continues to be a safe, commonly used restorative material, some concern has been raised because of its mercury content. However, the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth.
While questions have arisen about the safety of dental amalgam relating to its mercury content, the major U.S. and international scientific and health bodies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, among others have been satisfied that dental amalgam is a safe, reliable and effective restorative material.