You can
find and lean on a biological dentist to remove old mercury-containing silver
amalgam fillings. Getting rid of harmful materials and replacing them with
biologically compatible non-toxic alternatives is an important part of
holistic dentistry.
According to Biological Dentist, Paige Woods, DDS we can take some or all of the steps below to ensure
that our old mercury fillings are safely removed, so they can be replaced with
modern composite filling material and other safe restorations:
1. Cooling the filling material. The drills used to get rid of mercury fillings
can heat the material up, but dentists who practice biocompatible dentistry
know to cool the filling with air and water to prevent dust and the release of
harmful mercury vapor.
2. Cutting the amalgam into chunks instead of
drilling it out. While
some drilling is necessary, a biological dentist will often limit drilling and
try to release the material in chunks so it can be carefully removed by hand or
suction and disposed of safely. When chunks are removed, less dust and vapor is
created.
3. Usage of a high-volume evacuator. Powerful suction tools called evacuators are
now standard in the offices of biological dentists and should be placed very
near the filling during its removal to ensure that small particles are sucked
away. No tool does this better than a high-volume evacuator.
4. Provision of alternate air. While not widely done, providing you
alternative air means you can breathe better through your nose and are less
likely to breathe through your mouth and suck in any mercury particles that
have escaped and aren’t yet cleaned away.
5. Usage of a rubber dam. Expect your biological dentist to use a rubber
dam placed over much of your mouth that exposes just the teeth being worked on
and those immediately surrounding them. This way, teeth and lips are protected
from mercury and a dry work area can be established for installing composite
filling material.
6. Disposal of gloves plus mouth and facial
cleaning after mercury removal. One important aspect of biological dentistry is quickly clearing
away any mercury that’s released. This means you should expect those working on you to
remove and throw away gloves and wipe any debris from your mouth and face to
prevent mercury absorption. Your mouth may be rinsed for at least 15 seconds to
clear any stray particles as well.
7. Quick handling of other cleanup tasks. The rubber dam and other materials used in your
dental procedure must be cleared away and contained quickly as well to prevent
mercury from escaping into the air. The biological dentist’s assistant usually does this, and the dentist
should verify that it’s taken care of.
8. Filtration of air throughout the practice
office. In
general, expect your dental practice to filter all air. Patients, office staff
and the dental professionals are all protected when the air is cleaned of
pollutants, including any escaped mercury.
9. Usage of additional air purification during
the procedure. In some
cases, a special air purifier will be used near your mouth during mercury
filling removal. This can catch any mercury particles that are released by the
procedure and not caught with other methods.
10. Recommendation of active charcoal before
the procedure.
Evidence has show promise from taking activated charcoal 10 or 15 minutes
before the removal of a mercury-containing filling. The charcoal can bind with
any mercury that gets into the system and keep it from being absorbed,
preventing harmful effects.
Steps 1 through 3 are the most common and most important steps you
can expect your biological dentist to take when removing a mercury filling.
These steps are often sufficient to protect everyone. But don’t be surprised if you observe extra measures being taken.
Biological dentistry is about eliminating harmful and
non-biocompatible materials from the body, and you can expect your biological
dentist to do everything possible and practical to help you move forward
without toxic mercury in your body.
More about San Diego Dentist, Dr. Paige Woods
Read about wisdom tooth pain
More about San Diego Dentist, Dr. Paige Woods
Read about wisdom tooth pain
