Is going mercury free for fillings really safe? I have 6 silver fillings, but if removing them is not safe I want to know before I make the request. My last dentist told me that there is more mercury released during the process than if I kept the fillings. My current dentist said he has a way of removing the fillings without exposing me to the mercury. Those are opposite answers to me. Is it safe to get the fillings removed? Thanks. Kate
Kate – Your concern is understandable since mercury is toxic. However, the American Dental Association maintains that amalgam is safe for dental fillings. Many dentists still fill cavities with amalgam—particularly on molar teeth. Whether or not removing the fillings is a safe way to get your teeth completely mercury-free depends on the process used by a dentist.
Some dentists simply remove amalgam fillings without safety precautions. Others take specific steps. Ask your current dentist what he does to ensure safe removal. Some of the steps might include:
- Isolating the affected tooth
- Keeping the filling cool with water and air
- Removing the amalgam in chunks
- Using an air purifier
- Using a high-speed suction system to limit the amount of vapor that is release in the air
- Providing you with oxygen to breathe
- Rinsing your mouth with a solution to which the filling particles will attach
- Immediately removing any protective covering that was placed on you during the procedure
The protocol your dentist uses might differ. Ask in advance for each step of the process. It’s up to you to decide if the precautions taken are satisfactory to you. If not, you can get a second opinion from another mercury-free dentist and compare the process he or she uses for safe amalgam removal.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.