Mercury Filling Removal West Kelowna

With the advent, and now the affordability of, composite fillings, more people are asking their dentists to provide them with tooth-coloured fillings.

In fact, some people even ask their dentists to remove their old amalgam fillings and replace them with white fillings.

In my practice, I avoid using amalgam filling material completely. But I’m also leery of removing old fillings because of the health implications to the patient, myself, and my team.

That’s why I decided to become SMART certified. This stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique and I have been using this technique for 3 years now.

What’s involved in safe amalgam fillings removal? And how does this relate to holistic dental care?

What is SMART certification?

This is a certification provided through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, or IAOMT.

In order to qualify for this certification, I adhere to the “rigorous recommendations” for amalgam fillings removal developed by the IAOMT.

Their goals and recommendations align with my holistic dental care goals for my practice. I want to reduce the risk of mercury exposure, both to my patients and to my team and the environment.

In other words, the people in my care will have less risk of adverse health reactions due to mercury exposure.

When I look at my patients, I don’t just see a set of teeth. My team and I see each patient that comes into my practice as a whole person. We want to do all we can to care for their body, mind, and spirit.

To accomplish that, I implement holistic, homeopathic, and science-based principles into the diagnosis and treatment of my patients.

Amalgam filling removal creates mercury vapors and particles. It’s extremely easy to inhale these vapors, which can then be absorbed into the body through the lungs.

Removing these fillings incorrectly can expose my patients, my team, and myself to the potentially harmful effects of mercury.

Mercury is a neurotoxin and as such can contribute to a number of health problems. Scientific research has shown that exposure to mercury (which makes up 50% of amalgam fillings) can potentially lead to:

• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Headaches/Migraines
• Tremors
• Endometriosis
• High blood pressure
• Skin rashes
• Loss of coordination
• Impairment of speech, hearing, and/or sight
• Muscle weakness and atrophy
• Cognitive impairment
• Kidney malfunction
• Respiratory distress
• Death.

While it’s not likely that the more serious side effects on this list will occur from having an old amalgam filling replaced, mercury can build up in the body over time.

Should you just avoid having your amalgam fillings removed?

Actually, with every bite you take and every time you grind your teeth, a little bit of mercury enters your bloodstream. After a while, this can lead to health problems, like headaches. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but it is a possibility.

That’s why it’s important to get these fillings removed in the safest manner possible.

We start by making sure we have a good air filtration system in the room where the procedure will take place. When possible, we work with open windows as well.

My dental team and I wear protective gowns and provide them for our patients, too. Additionally, my assistant and I wear protective masks, face shields, hair covers, and gloves.

We cover the patient’s nose with an impermeable barrier, like an oxygen mask so they don’t inhale any of the amalgam vapors during the procedure.

Then, we cover the oral cavity with a dental dam, which significantly reduces the amount of amalgam particles entering the mouth. Multiple suction devices are also used to capture particles and vapors.

Once the procedure is complete, we thoroughly rinse and suction the patient’s mouth and give them vitamin C and charcoal pills. These are taken to help the body clear any mercury that may have accidentally entered the blood stream.

Interested in a holistic approach to dental care?

Holistic dental care is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s no wonder.

Our environment impacts our health. Reducing the amount of exposure we receive from toxic substances is important if we want to protect ourselves from illness and injury.

Thankfully, the dental community is on board with finding healthful ways to provide dental treatment and care.

If you’d like more information regarding safer amalgam fillings removal or other holistic dental care options, don’t hesitate to ask.

My team and I are happy to provide you with information regarding best dental care practices and providing you with safe, quality dental services.

Do you want to avoid getting fillings in the first place? With regular dental examinations, we can find and treat dental issues in the earliest stages and can even help prevent some of them. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

With the potential health risks of mercury becoming well known, many people are seeking the removal of their silver fillings. At Health and Beauty Dentistry, we are SMART certified and can assist in safely removing silver fillings in a way that protects both the patient, and our staff, from mercury exposure.

1. To protect the patient during the procedure, a full-body impermeable barrier is used. Our dental team will wear protective masks, face shields, hair covers, and gloves.
2. The amalgam is cut into large chunks in order to minimize mercury vapor exposure and reduce drilling.
3. A charcoal rinse may be given prior to the procedure to ensure that any mercury particles passing through the mouth are captured and later eliminated.
4. We cover the patient’s nose with an impermeable barrier, like an oxygen mask so they don’t inhale any of the amalgam vapors during the procedure.
5. A latex free dental dam will be placed and securely sealed in the mouth to isolate the teeth being treated and prevent particles from falling inside the mouth.
6. An air filtration system will be used in the treatment room. When possible, we work with open windows as well.
7. Vitamin C and charcoal pills are given to the patient to take after the procedure to help the body excrete any mercury that may have entered the body during the procedure before it settles in the tissues.