Amalgam Removal: Everything You Need To Know

Dental amalgam or silver fillings are the most commonly used cavity fillers. These fillings are a mixture of several metals along with a high concentration of mercury. Nowadays, there are several other better alternatives to silver fillings. Mercury toxicity can cause many health problems such as heart disease, fatigue, headaches, kidney problems, etc. Everyday activities, such as brushing your teeth, may release mercury vapors that you may breathe in. Amalgam removal will not only give you health benefits but also aesthetics benefits because you will no longer have to live with visible silver-colored fillings.

Is Amalgam Removal Safe?

Amalgam removal is entirely safe and is performed by taking all the necessary safety measures so that no damage is caused by the mercury vapors released during the procedure. The room where the amalgam removal procedure is performed will have a high-volume air filtration system that will eliminate the mercury vapors produced during the process. You will be equipped with all the necessities such as safety glasses, a protective gown, headcover, and a mask to cover your nose to keep the mercury vapors from entering your nostrils. All the dental personnel present in the room will also be provided with protective gowns, safety glasses, face shields, headcovers, and non-latex gloves.

What is the Procedure?

During the procedure, you will be given local anesthesia to eliminate any pain involved. We will also provide you with pure oxygen to breathe through a nasal cannula so that you do not breathe the air around you, as it can contain mercury vapors liberated during the procedure. We will place a rubber dam over your mouth, under which a saliva ejector will be placed to reduce your mercury exposure. You will also be given charcoal and chlorella slurry to absorb mercury particles before they get absorbed into your system.

With the help of a small diameter carbide drill, the amalgam will be sectioned into chunks and removed. Large pieces will require minimum drilling, which will reduce the mercury vapor released into the air. A high-speed suction device will be used to pull all the mercury discharge away as the filling is being drilled out. A copious amount of cold water will be constantly sprayed on the filling to keep its temperature down.

Post Procedure Detoxification

Detoxification after mercury exposure is very important. Every patient’s detox is unique, and we will guide you with all the important measures that will help you detox after the removal. Some general guidelines are:

1. Consume a high-fiber diet.
2. Work out every day to get rid of any sort of toxins through sweat.
3. Drink lots of filtered water.
4. Avoid alcohol, seafood, artificial sweeteners, processed foods, etc.
5. Take the supplements prescribed by the dentist.

Please reach out to our dental practice in Centennial, CO, to have a consultation with our dentists. Please call us at (303) 798-1068 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.