10 Things You Need to Know About Amalgam Removal
What do you need to know about amalgam removal
Amalgam removal is the process that holistic dentists use to safely remove mercury containing amalgam fillings from your teeth. Brisbane holistic dentist Dr Rachel Hall, who is an amalgam removal dentist, shares the 10 things you need to know about amalgam filling removal.
1. What is a dental amalgam filling?
Dental amalgam is filling material that has and still is used for filling cavities for over the past 150 years. The make-up of “silver fillings” has raised some concerns because of one of its main components is mercury.
Amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals, consisting of liquid mercury and a powdered alloy made up of silver, tin, zinc, and copper. Approximately 50% of a dental amalgam is mercury.
2. What is mercury and why should I get amalgam fillings removed?
Mercury is a chemical element commonly known as quicksilver. Mercury is highly toxic to humans although in the past it was generally considered safe when used as part of a filling.
However, mercury is toxic and so it can cause issues with your body without you even knowing, especially if you’ve had amalgam fillings in your mouth for years.
The mercury from the filling slowly leaks into your body where it builds up creating a toxic environment and a whole host of symptoms.
3. How does mercury enter the blood stream from the fillings?
Mercury enters the human body via three main sources -amalgam fillings, seafood, and some vaccinations. Amalgam fillings release mercury vapour which then enters the lungs. From the lungs 80% of the mercury gets absorbed into the blood stream.
Mercury from amalgam fillings also gets ingested every time you swallow where some is converted to methylmercury which is then absorbed form the gut to your blood.
95% of the mercury in seafood is absorbed into the bloodstream while many vaccinations can also contain mercury in the form of ethylmercury used as a preservative.
4. What are the toxic health effects of mercury exposure?
Mercury is toxic to the nervous systems. It can impair the nervous, digestive, and immune systems as well as the lungs and kidneys.
This can result in neurological and behavioural disorders with symptoms including tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, and cognitive as well as motor dysfunction.
Kidney effects have also been reported, ranging from increased protein in the urine to kidney failure.
5. How does Evolve Dental Amalgam Removal Dentist Brisbane handle amalgam filling removal?
Evolve Dental Healing Brisbane dentist aims to provide the safe and successful removal of amalgam fillings. This process involves the coordination of a full health plan including a heavy metal detoxification plan, supplements, and diet modification and in some cases testing.
But most importantly Evolve Dental Healing also uses gold standard amalgam removal safety procedures to provide the utmost safety to patients and staff.
Procedures include using a rubber dam, providing an oxygen supply to both the patient and staff, and using a high-volume suction device in and over the patients’ mouth, all to prevent any mercury vapour exposure.
We sequence the removal of amalgam silver fillings doing a quarter sometimes half of the mouth at a time depending in the number and size of the fillings.
6. Is amalgam filling removal painful?
The actual removal of the amalgam filling is similar to having a regular filling or cavity treated, the only difference is the additional safety protocols that we use. Like a normal filling local anaesthesia is used to numb the teeth, so no pain is involved.
7. What does it cost to remove amalgam fillings?
The cost of removing an amalgam filling and replacing it with a safer material is comparable in price to a regular filling, however, this may vary from patient to patient.
8. How long does it take to remove amalgam fillings?
Most amalgam removal appointments are around 60-90 minutes in duration. The majority of that time is taken to rebuild the teeth with the new fillings, the actual removal of the old mercury amalgam filling is quite fast.
9. What does Evolve Dental Healing Amalgam Removal Dentist do to look after overall health?
Evolve Holistic Dentist Brisbane has a well-established procedure for amalgam filling removals as well as providing a personalised removal and detoxification program to match your health requirements.
This includes but is not limited to diet modifications and the prescription of supplements to support the detoxification process.
10. How can mercury exposure be reduced?
The first step is to avoid having any more amalgam fillings, and safely removing existing ones. Limit seafood consumption such as tuna, lobster, salt-water fish and seaweeds.
Mercury can be in cosmetics such as hair dyes, mascara, skin lightening creams, medications (Preparation H, contact lens solutions, recycled toilet paper, body powders) or even in latex and solvent thinned paints, fabric softener, floor waxes, air conditioner filters, and tattoos.
To avoid the consumption of mercury exposed products, read the labels to ensure that no ingredient has the letters MER in the name.
Is it time to remove your amalgam fillings? Please contact Evolve Dental Healing Brisbane Holistic Dentist to make your appointment or to find out more about a safe amalgam filling removal and detoxification program.
Call us today 07 37201811
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Dr. Rachel Hall
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
