What You Need to Know About Amalgam Removal

Most people know “mercury amalgams” by the name “silver fillings.” While the use of mercury fillings have decreased by 30 percent over the last 10 years, the American Dental Association reports that there are still hundreds of millions of people with these types of fillings in their mouths. And that’s not a good thing.

Why Proper Amalgam Removal Is So Crucial

There is the opportunity to have your silver fillings safely removed; it’s important to understand the required intricacies of this procedure. 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 against 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.

Alternatives to Amalgam Fillings

The toxicity of mercury is well-known, yet many dentists still use this material to fill cavities. It’s estimated by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) that 122 million Americans have mercury amalgams in their teeth. Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury and only 35 percent silver, and mercury vapor is continuously emitted from dental fillings. This mercury accumulates in the body over time – it’s a powerful poison that causes health hazards to the heart and cardiac system in particular, though every major organ system is at risk.

Bottom line: No amount of mercury is safe. For those people who wish for a better and non-toxic alternative, there are mercury-free fillings made of porcelain composite.

Practicing Safe Mercury Filling Removal

At Dr. Vladimir Gashinky’s New Jersey holistic dental practice, protocol recommended by the IAOMT is followed to the letter for proper removal of mercury fillings. Dr. G’s office has a mercury separator, which filters mercury from waste water that leaves the office, rather than taxing water treatment plants.

Have concerns about your fillings? Make an appointment with Dr. G’s office to discuss amalgam removal and new porcelain fillings.

Tags: holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, mercury-free dentist, mercury-free fillings, silver fillings removal