Mercury Filling Removal
What protocol is used in the removal of mercury fillings at your office?
A visit to a holistic dental practice will include the following features. First a complete examination and medical and dental history is done. Any periodontal or gum issues are looked after prior to commencing filling removal. The gums and jawbone are the foundation for your teeth. The extent of your treatment is discussed, including the depth and size of your fillings. This is determined with the help of dental radiographs, commonly known as x-rays. Digital radiographs provide up to 90% lower radiation exposure and a large image on the computer monitor. We caution you that drilling out deep fillings may result in temporary or long term nerve damage. This can lead to the loss of the tooth or the need for root canal treatment. Pros and cons of root canals are discussed. Treatment choices are presented for replacing missing teeth which include titanium implants, metal and non-metal bridges, removable partial dentures. Filling material choices are presented with the main categories being composite resin and ceramic. Bio-compatibility testing options are given, the main ones being electrodermal screening and blood antigen testing. Dental materials tested include filling material, bonding agents, local anaesthetics, latex rubber and vinyl.
It is suggested that you consult with your health practitioner with regards to your heavy metal levels, especially mercury. A mercury testing kit is available in our office. We suggest appropriate measures be taken with your health practitioner to help your body detoxify before, during and after your dental treatment to remove your amalgam fillings. Depending on your present health condition, it may be recommended that the fillings be removed over a short period of time such as a few weeks or may be prolonged over several months or years.
Several protective measures are provided during your appointment.
1. Dental rubber dam forms a water tight seal and is an extremely helpful way to prevent the swallowing of amalgam particles and prevents the high velocity particles from embedding into your soft tissues such as your cheeks, gums and tongue.
2. High velocity suction with an attachment called the ‘Clean-Up” is effective at vacuuming most of the particles. For your reassurance, the particles are filtered into a ‘trap’ to prevent them from going into our sewage system. This has been mandated for dental offices across Canada for many years. Prior to this, Pollution Probe said that dental offices were the second biggest mercury polluters behind the electrical utilities.
3. A small ‘saliva ejector’ suction is placed in your mouth under the rubber dam to vacuum away any mercury vapours that may penetrate through the rubber.
4. A large air filter is placed near your mouth to vacuum away the mercury vapours. This is a 3-stage filter with a pre-filter, a hepa filter and a 4-inch carbon filter.
5. Medical grade oxygen is provided via a ‘nasal hood’ or nose mask.
5. A mercury vapour ionizer generates billions of negative ions in the room.
6. Magnification using magnifying loupes or a dental operating microscope ensures all amalgam is removed from the tooth and particles are rinsed away from around the teeth.
