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Medicine is constantly advancing, and dentistry is no exception. These past few years, new revolutionary dental care methods have emerged alongside safer and natural-looking restorative materials. To continue protecting your oral health, transitioning to this safer option is key. However, careless amalgam mercury filling removal does pose some risks.
When removing amalgam fillings and applying natural-looking, mercury-free composite ones, acting carefully is key to preventing unnecessary exposure to this harmful metal. We created this guide to help you understand the risks and figure out what the best solution is for you.
Mercury is toxic and should not be anywhere near your body, especially in your mouth. Nonetheless, it has been used as a dental filler for many years, particularly in metal amalgam restorations.
Dentists have been using amalgam fillings—a substance made of mercury combined with an alloy of copper, tin, or silver—for more than 150 years. In the United States, about half of all dentists still use dental amalgam as a low-cost dental filling option.
Mercury is reasonably priced, flexible during the setting process, and long-lasting once hardened, mercury has replaced gold fillings. For that reason, amalgam fillings can contain up to 50% elemental mercury by weight. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), these fillings are safe, but more and more research suggests otherwise.
Mercury fillings raise the amount of mercury in your blood, urine, and brain by releasing elemental mercury vapor into your mouth. An average of 2 to 20 mcg of mercury leaks out of your fillings as you move your mouth throughout the day; if you chew gum, have bruxism, or have an extremely old filling, these amounts increase dramatically.
Because of this, many people who are concerned about their health choose to have their mercury fillings taken out. However, mercury filling removal isn't free of risks, either.
Mercury is a very harmful substance whose effects extend beyond your smile. Mercury exposure can cause fatigue, numbness, tremors, memory loss, and blurred vision, among other symptoms. Long-term exposure can result in irreparable damage to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and other organ systems.
To put a stop to this, amalgam filling removal is suggested. Nevertheless, filling removal should never be done casually or without proper safety protocols to avoid risking the patient's and the operating staff's health. If not, careless mercury filling removal can risk:
Despite the potential risks, research indicates that getting rid of mercury fillings is best for your health. A study conducted in Norway revealed that patients who had been experiencing a range of mercury-related health problems, such as headaches, fatigue, and pain in their muscles and joints, felt better after the removal.
In this study, patients were contacted three months, a year, and three years later. The participants reported a notable decrease in their health-related worries during that period. However, there was no improvement in the symptoms of the reference group whose fillings were left in place.
To minimize the risks, professional dental organizations recommend the SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique), which includes:
Still, whether or not mercury filling removal is the right option for you is a decision made on a case-by-case basis. Most people don't experience the consequences of the mercury in amalgam fillings (which is why health organizations like the ADA haven’t prohibited them yet).
Before the procedure, we'll test your mercury levels. If you don't have a significant amount of mercury circulating in your blood or aren't exhibiting visible adverse effects, removing your amalgam fillings may not be worth it.
If you get the procedure, we'll examine your mercury levels afterward, too, to compare your post-op levels. Moreover, remember to limit fish intake for a while, and go on a detox diet, and reduce your EMF exposure!
In certain cases, mercury fillings pose an even more significant risk. This is the case for:
Additionally, if you have had or may have mercury fillings for several decades, have high blood mercury levels, or experience negative exposure symptoms like headaches, tremors, mood swings, muscle weakness, dizziness, or insomnia, consult your dentist about getting your fillings removed.
Amalgam filling removal is a complex, time-consuming procedure. While eliminating any potential sources of mercury from your body is important, the risk of the removal can make leaving the amalgam filling the most beneficial choice in some cases. It’s crucial to assess each situation with personalization and a unique approach.
At Black Bear Dental, we’ve been instructing our patients on the dangers of mercury fillings for years now. However, old practices are hard to abolish. If you have an amalgam filling and would like it removed by an expert team highly qualified in these types of tasks, we’re here for you. Contact us today, and let’s work together to ensure your health for years to come!
