Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique

How To Get Mercury Fillings Safely Removed

Mercury is a heavy metal, as dangerous as lead and arsenic, yet as dentists, we are trained that it is perfectly safe when it is mixed to make up dental amalgam.

However, studies show that mercury evaporates as a vapour every time there is any heat or friction applied to the teeth or fillings. So just imagine every time you eat, have a hot meal or drink, brush your teeth, clench, grind or swallow, mercury is coming out of your filling as a gas. A gas that you breathe in.

The mercury is breathed into the lungs, transferred to the blood and from there into our cells. Mercury is able to enter the cells in our body and brain attaching to nerve tissue and the pituitary gland. Studies show that mercury released from amalgam fillings appears in the kidneys, brain, thyroid and wall of the intestines, just to mention a few.

An amalgam filling as small as 2mm by 2mm releases around 15 micrograms of mercury per day through wear and evaporation.

The average person with eight amalgams could be absorbing 120 micrograms of mercury per day. So what? Well when you compare that to daily uptake of mercury from fish and seafood and environmental exposure of 2.6 micrograms per day, I’d consider it very significant.

Mercury Release From Dental Fillings

Now contemplate that when you have an amalgam filling drilled at the dentist, the drill creates immense friction against the filling. That friction causes a massive increase in mercury vapour release while the filling is being worked on. Add to that all the bits of amalgam that end up in your mouth and you have to wonder how good for you and your health the process is. Not to mention the health of the dentist, their team and anyone else present in the treatment room at the time.

Find A SMART Holistic Dentist

So if you a wanting to replace your amalgam mercury fillings find a holistic dentist and I mean a proper one that is SMART certified and knows what they are doing. SMART stands for safe mercury amalgam removal technique which protects you from unnecessary exposure to mercury and means the dentist understands and does what is needed to keep you safe and support you through the process.

It’s important we don’t overly challenge your immune system by removing too many fillings in one session or by scheduling those sessions too closely together.

Amalgam Removal Assessment

So as a SMART certified holistic dentist here’s what I do after spending the time to consult with you about your health and wellbeing I perform a thorough inspection of your mouth, teeth and gums including your bite and TMJ function. I ascertain how many amalgam fillings you have, their size and volume and position in your mouth. I also check for any cracks, decay, infections and active gum disease. I will take x-rays and photographs to support my diagnosis and to be able to formulate a treatment plan to improve your dental health and ensure we carefully plan your amalgam removal schedule. I will also recommend what you require to help your body cope during the process via medical and nutritional support.

The Amalgam Removal Process

Like a conventional dentist I numb the teeth before I start and as a SMART certified and the holistic dentist I apply a rubber dam to isolate the teeth I am working on, the dam acts as a physical barrier to prevent particles and lumps of amalgam from splattering into your mouth. It makes a good barrier but not a perfect watertight one to contain the debris that is generated during the removal process.

I fit you with a nasal hood that allows sterile, clean air to flow under positive pressure into your nose to ensure you are breathing non-contaminated air supply.

Finally, we position a large suction trunk from a specialised filtration machine called the IQ Air Hg Pro which vacuums up particles and mercury vapour so we do not breathe them in or have them contaminating the treatment room and those of us in there.

My dental assistant and I wear mercury respirator masks for our own safety and we have negative ion generators and filters running in the treatment room also.

Once we have you set and dressed I begin by removing the fillings in as large segments as is possible to limit the number of small particles or breakdown debris of the filling material. Any decay that has formed around the filling is also removed during the process. During the drilling phase, we place the large dental suction right next to your tooth and insert a smaller suction beneath the dam in case any mercury vapour is escaping through the junction of the dam to the tooth.

Once the amalgam is removed the tooth is cleaned of any residual oxide of mercury that is left at the new edges. If this is not completely removed it hinders the bonding of the new filling to the tooth.

When I’m satisfied that I have removed all the amalgam from the tooth or teeth I’m working on I will take off the rubber dam and thoroughly rinse around the inside of your mouth with high-pressure water and suction.

We also make sure we change our gloves and suction hose ends for clean ones before we place the new fillings in your teeth.

The tooth is restored with materials that are as non-toxic and gentle on your body as possible and that will also give you the best longevity so that it has a reasonably long life. Bearing in mind that we want to choose materials that are non-metallic and immune system friendly.

It’s important to help your body detox from the mercury you have been exposed to since the amalgam fillings were placed in your teeth. I encourage all my patients to take something with the support of other health care providers who can assess and monitor the heavy metal detoxification.

Removing Mercury Amalgams

Taking the amalgams out needs to be done in a considered and safe manner, ensuring that you, the dental team and the environment are not exposed to mercury. By using the correct safety equipment we can ensure that your fillings are replaced in the best possible way that supports you to detox effectively form the process. It’s important then to support your body to detox with supplements and the correct nutrition to maximise the benefits of no longer having amalgam fillings drip feeding mercury into your body.

Not only will you have peace of mind knowing your metal fillings have been safely removed but you will have a healthy and natural looking smile again.

For Safe Mercury Removal and a full dental assessment please contact us Evolve Dental Healing now 07 3720 1811