If Not Mercury, Then What?

In a September 2020 statement, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) updated its information and potential risks to certain high-risk individuals likely associated with mercury amalgam fillings. As holistic dental practitioners, we feel that mercury safety should apply to not only high-risk people but to everyone—including those who are autoimmune compromised. So, what are your options? Let’s take a look.

Safe Removal of Mercury Fillings

The first step is to safely remove your amalgam fillings. This must be done in such a way as not to increase the risks of mercury release in the process. Just as you might see a specialist for veneers or dental implants, it’s best to find dentists that are sensitive to your concerns regarding amalgam fillings. Click on the link below for more information on SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) filling removal.

SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique)

There are certain measures that dentists who practice amalgam removal must take in order to avoid a patient inhaling or swallowing any metal particles. It’s also necessary to use the right materials, tools, and filters to prevent metal from entering the public water system. Proper disposal of the mercury fillings is also crucial.

When mercury dental fillings are heated, mercury vapor is released even faster. The grindings from removed mercury fillings should never touch the gums, cheeks, or floor of the mouth. To prevent this occurrence, a rubber dam must be used for the removal of mercury fillings.
It’s not just what happens in your mouth that’s important but what’s happening in the air around you during mercury filling removal. Mercury vapor also needs to be removed from the room air to ensure that the process is safe for the patient, doctor, and staff.

The simple solution is to remove the silver fillings and replace them with tooth-colored porcelain composite fillings. A bio-compatibility test may be run to determine the best material to use for your restorations. This choice can improve your long-term health, and is especially friendly to your immune system.

You’d likely be concerned about undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures with a practitioner who isn’t qualified to perform them, right? So why would you get your amalgam fillings removed by a dentist that doesn’t understand and account for the dangers involved?

Composite Resin Fillings

Composite resin fillings are made of different plastic and glass materials. Not all composite materials are non toxic and many traditional dentists use whatever composite is available. Like metal amalgams, traditional dentists claim that the hardened form of composite fillings is non toxic. In reality, toxic materials like BPA and Bis-GMA can be released from certain composite fillings which could lead to many health problems. Health effects range from issues with reproduction and neurology to a weakened immune system. However, there are non-toxic variations of composite fillings, so make sure to ask your trusted holistic dentist about it. However, at Holistic Dental Center, we use a composite that is specifically BPA and Bis-GMA and fluoride free.

Porcelain Fillings

Holistic dentists want their patients to live healthy lives, free of toxins in their system. One way they help patients accomplish this is by using biocompatible tooth filling materials like porcelain rather than toxic materials. These are strong alternatives to toxic tooth fillings. However, keep in mind that there are composite filling options that are completely non-toxic, so porcelain fillings are not your only truly holistic option.