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SMART Mercury Removal · Millburn, NJ
Safe Mercury Filling Removal That Protects You During the Process
The safest time to remove an amalgam filling is with a fully trained,
SMART-certified team following the IAOMT protocol. Without it,
removal itself can expose you to more mercury than leaving the filling
alone.
Or call (973) 379-9080
IAOMT SMART Certified
Rubber Dam Isolation
Complete barrier to prevent fragments from reaching throat or airways
High-Volume Evacuation
Captures mercury vapor at the source before inhalation can occur
Sectioning Technique
Filling removed in large chunks — less drilling means less vapor released
Air Filtration + Nasal Oxygen
Filtered air throughout the room; patient breathes clean oxygen throughout
- IAOMT SMART Certified
- IAOMT Member Practice
- Biocompatibility Testing Available
- Mercury-Free Replacements
- Millburn, NJ
Amalgam fillings are approximately 50% mercury by weight — classified as hazardous waste the moment they leave your
mouth, yet placed in teeth for decades. The question isn’t whether removal is worth discussing. It’s whether it’s done
safely.
Why Mercury Exposure Matters
Mercury is a known neurotoxin. Amalgam fillings off-gas low-level mercury vapor continuously — particularly when chewing, drinking hot liquids, or grinding teeth. For most people this is not immediately detectable, but for those with sensitivity or systemic illness, the cumulative load matters.
Neurological symptoms
Memory issues, brain fog, tremors, difficulty concentrating
Autoimmune conditions
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis
Thyroid dysfunction
Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's, chronic fatigue
Cardiovascular symptoms
Heart palpitations, unexplained blood pressure changes
Chemical sensitivity
Reactions to common environmental exposures, scents, metals
50%
of an amalgam filling is elemental mercury — not "trace amounts"
The WHO classifies mercury as one of the ten chemicals of major public health concern. There is no established safe level of mercury exposure for neurological health. SMART removal minimizes additional exposure during the removal process itself.
Six Layers of Protection During Removal
SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. Every element of the
protocol exists to minimize mercury vapor exposure to the patient, the dentist, and the
team.
Dental Dam Isolation
A full rubber dam seals the treatment area, blocking amalgam particles and vapor from reaching the patient’s throat, airway, or digestive tract during removal.
High-Volume Evacuation
A dedicated high-volume suction system is positioned at the source of drilling — capturing vapor before it can be inhaled by the patient or any member of the clinical team.
Sectioning Technique
Rather than grinding the filling down, we section it into large chunks with minimal drilling. Less drill time means less heat, less vapor, and fewer airborne particles.
Air Filtration System
A dedicated IQ Air filtration unit runs throughout the procedure, continuously removing mercury vapor and particulates from the treatment room air.
Team Protection
Our clinical team wears full protective equipment including mercury-specific respirators, gowns, and gloves — because staff safety is part of the
protocol, not an afterthought.
Nasal Hood Oxygen
Throughout the procedure, the patient breathes through a nasal hood delivering clean, filtered oxygen — eliminating inhalation exposure entirely during treatment.
When Removal Is Worth a Conversation
We don’t recommend removing fillings simply because they contain mercury. But there are circumstances where a conversation about safe removal makes sense.
- You have an autoimmune condition that isn't responding to standard treatment
- You have diagnosed hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- You experience neurological symptoms without a clear diagnosis
- Your fillings are cracked, corroded, or showing signs of breakdown
- You're planning a pregnancy and want to reduce your toxic load
- You're a child or young adult with a long-term exposure window
- Heavy metal testing has indicated elevated mercury levels
- You've made a personal decision to eliminate amalgam from your body
Our Honest Position on Mercury Removal
We will not recommend removing your fillings simply because you have them. Drilling into an intact amalgam filling generates mercury vapor — so removal carries its own exposure risk if not
done correctly.
Our recommendation is based on your individual health history, the condition of your fillings, and whether the risk-benefit calculation makes sense for you. We will never pressure you into a procedure you don’t need.
What we will do is perform the removal safely, using the full IAOMT SMART protocol, if you and we decide it’s the right choice together.
What We Replace Mercury Fillings With
Every material we use as a replacement is free of mercury, BPA, and metal alloys. For
patients with known sensitivities, we offer biocompatibility testing before selecting a
material.
Most Common
BPA-Free Composite Resin
Tooth-colored composite that bonds directly to the tooth structure. BPA-free and Bis-GMA-free formulations available. Matched precisely to
your natural tooth shade.
For Larger Restorations
Ceramic Inlays & Onlays
Porcelain or full-ceramic restorations milled to fit the exact shape of your tooth. Highly durable, completely metal-free, and biocompatible with all tissue types.
For Sensitive Patients
Biocompatibility Testing
Using the Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing panel, we can identify which specific dental materials are compatible with your immune system before placing anything.
What Patients Say About SMART Removal
I've had brain fog for years that no one could explain. After having my amalgam fillings removed here with the full SMART protocol, things started to shift within a few months. I can't say it was the only factor, but the timing was meaningful to me.
Jennifer M.
SMART Removal Patient · Maplewood, NJ
I went to two other dentists who said they could remove my mercury fillings, but neither had the protective equipment or the training. At Holistic Dental Center they walked me through every step of the protocol before we started. That meant everything to me.
Robert T.
SMART Removal Patient · Livingston, NJ
I have Hashimoto's and was very concerned about additional mercury exposure during removal. The team was incredibly thorough. They tested materials for biocompatibility before we chose a replacement. I finally feel like I'm working with people who understand the full picture.
Alicia W.
SMART Removal Patient · Summit, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safer to leave my fillings or have them removed?
The answer depends on the condition of the fillings and your health history. Intact fillings in good condition off-gas a relatively low but continuous amount of vapor. Removing them without proper technique generates a significant spike in exposure. Our position is that removal is only appropriate when there is a clinical or health reason, and only when performed using the full SMART protocol.
What makes the SMART protocol different from regular filling removal?
Standard filling removal — even at mercury-free dental offices — often lacks the specific equipment and technique of the IAOMT SMART protocol. The key elements that make SMART different are: full rubber dam isolation, high-volume evacuation at the source, sectioning technique to minimize drilling time, air filtration, nasal oxygen delivery, and full protective equipment for the clinical team. Most offices do not use all six.
How many appointments does it take to remove all my fillings?
We generally recommend removing one to two quadrants per appointment to limit total exposure in a single session. Most patients complete the process in two to four appointments depending on the number of fillings. Each appointment also includes placement of the biocompatible replacement material.
Should I do any detox support before or after removal?
Many integrative practitioners recommend supporting the body’s detox pathways before and after SMART removal, particularly for patients with chronic illness. We work collaboratively with functional medicine practitioners and can make referrals if appropriate. This is a conversation best had at your consultation given your specific health history.
Does insurance cover SMART mercury removal?
Insurance typically covers the replacement restoration — the composite or ceramic material placed after the amalgam is removed. The additional protective equipment and protocol steps may not be separately reimbursed. Our front desk team will verify your coverage and explain the expected out-of-pocket clearly before you commit.
Can I be tested to see which replacement material is safest for me?
Yes. We offer the Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing panel, which assesses your immune response to a range of dental materials and identifies those least likely to cause sensitivity. We recommend this for patients with known chemical sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, or complex health histories.
Start With an Honest Conversation About Your Options
We’ll review your current fillings, discuss your health history, and give you
a clear recommendation — including whether removal makes sense and
what the process would involve.