Are your mercury fillings in need of replacement? Have you begun experiencing unpleasant side-effects due to your mercury fillings? 

It has been documented that high levels of mercury are not good for your body. The amount of mercury in dental fillings can cause anxiety, headaches, fatigue, irritability and memory loss. 

Not only can the mercury be inhaled when the fillings are being put on or taken off, it can also be rubbed off into the mouth through mere teeth brushing. These mercury vapors can accumulate in one’s body organs over time.

To prevent further damage to your body and health, it is recommended that you get your mercury fillings replaced with an alternate filling. 

Mercury Filling Removal Procedure

The mercury in the fillings poses health risks to both the patient and the dentist who will be removing the fillings. To lessen the risk of inhaling toxic amounts of mercury, a specific mercury filling removal process must be followed. 

The proper mercury filling removal process that all holistic dentists follow in accordance to IAOMT guidelines are as follows:  

1. The fillings must be kept cool during the removal process

Mercury reacts to heat by getting emitted into the air in the form of a vapor. To limit the amount of harmful mercury vapor that is emitted, your dentist will keep the fillings a cool as possible during the removal procedures. 

2. Cutting the amalgam into chunks

Drilling causes the fillings to heat up, and, emit harmful mercury vapors. It has become best practice and standard protocol for the dentist to drill as little as possible. The practice of what is referred to as “chunking” involves the least amount of drilling. The dentist will only drill enough to cut the fillings into chunks which are then removed either by hand or by a suction device. 

3. Use a powerful evacuator

Many mercury safe dentists will use a more powerful suction system (evacuator) than that which is found in a typical, pro-mercury filling dental office. This will limit the patient’s exposure to harmful mercury particles and fumes. 

4. The dentist is to provide an alternate air source

During the mercury filling removal process, an abundance of fresh air is necessary. The mercury vapor can quickly pollute the air in the dental room, causing inhalation risks to the patient. 

Alternative air sources can include a nasal hood for the patient through which he or she can breathe either compressed air from a tank, air from a source outside the office, or oxygen from a tank. The dentist may also encourage the patient to breathe through his or her nose only and not through the mouth.  

5. Use a rubber dam

The dentist will use a rubber dam that isolates the teeth that are being worked on. The rubber dam also protects the patient from breathing the mercury vapor through the mouth. The rubber dam also makes it easier for the mercury particles to be evacuated. 

Rubber dams can also offer an isolated and dry area on which to insert the mercury filling replacement.  

6. Thorough clean up  

Once the mercury fillings have been removed, the dentists, and dental assistants need to dispose of their gloves and the dental dams. The patient’s mouth will be thoroughly rinsed and vacuumed for at least 15 seconds. 

The patient will be asked to gargle with water to further rinse away the mercury residue. The dentist and dental assistants will immediately remove the patient’s protective covering and clean the patient’s face and neck. 

Alternate Dental Fillings

Holistic dentistry is great for patients with allergies to mercury, those who are already highly exposed to mercury, and those who are concerned about the risks of mercury fillings. A holistic dentist will not offer mercury fillings, but tooth-colored composite fillings. These non-metal fillings are hypoallergenic and doesn’t cause any health concerns like mercury does. 

Holistic Approach to Dentistry

Dental fillings are not the only services available through a holistic dental office. Other common dental procedures that are offered at a holistic dental office include:

  • Dental extraction
  • Tooth filling
  • Root canal therapy
  • Root end surgery
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Teeth cleaning
  • Dental bonding
  • Tooth polishing

Holistic dentistry emphasizes approaches to dental care that factors in the patient’s emotional and spiritual health as well as physical health.  Each holistic dental office is different, but they all avoid mercury fillings, surgical approaches to gum disease and root canals. 

In summary, holistic dentistry highly emphasizes the connection between physical dental treatment with a patient’s emotional and spiritual health, making them a great alternative to traditional dentistry. 

If you want natural dental treatments, check out holistic dentistry. If you’re in the Madison area in January, Madison Smiles Dentistry, a holistic dental office, will be present at the Madison Wellness Expo. They can answer your questions and concerns about holistic dental care.