I’m so frustrated. I want to get my old silver filling removed. Really, really want to. My dentist insists all the hype about the mercury content a big nothing and just a way to scare patients. Well, I am scared and I want them gone. But, my dentist is still refusing. Is there a way I can convince him?
Mary
Dear Mary,
You are not alone in your concern of amalgam fillings. As it becomes more and more well-known that the largest ingredient in silver fillings is mercury, patients are asking to have them removed.
I wouldn’t push your dentist into this. Likely, there isn’t a way you could convince him anyway. Current medical standing with the American Dental Association (ADA) is that amalgam fillings are within safe parameters of mercury. Your dentist isn’t going to change his mind while that is the ruling.
Truthfully, you wouldn’t want to anyway. Because of the amount of mercury content, you’ll need a dentist who understands how to do what is known as a sanitary amalgam removal. This protects you from inhaling any mercury vapors or swallowing any more of the material.
Getting Mercury-Free Fillings
Obviously, you’ll want to get rid of these fillings and replace them with composite (white) fillings. In order to safely do that, you will have to go to a different dentist who has the specific tools required to do a sanitary removal.
You can do an internet search for a mercury-free dentist. They only place composite fillings and most of them know how to safely remove them.
Doing this will help you feel more at peace about your body and your health.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.