One of the main holistic dentistry services that Casuarina Dental provides is the safe mercury amalgam removal (such as that found in old metal fillings). We perform this procedure with the utmost care to minimise the risk of you swallowing toxic debris. Proper isolation and high-volume suction are critical. So, we use a rubber dam to protect you, and to improve the bond of the new restoration.
Once all mercury is safely removed, the debris must then be properly disposed. Here at Casuarina Dental, we take environmental considerations seriously. So, we’ve made sure our disposal methods are as safe as possible. Our unique suction system separates 99% of the amalgam, trapping it in a special filter, before the waste fluid reaches the drain. This new standard of environmental care for dentists (with which Casuarina Dental is already compliant) eradicates mercury contamination of water and will soon become law for all Australian dental practices.
If you suspect that you have mercury in your fillings, rely on our team of holistic dentists to conduct the removal in a safe and stress-free manner. Find out more about our procedures below or reach out to our team in Casuarina if you have any queries.
Here at Casuarina Dental, we use the latest, safest practices in the industry when it comes to the removal of mercury amalgam. We proudly follow IAOMT Protocol. The IAOMT protocol recommendations for amalgam removal is known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART).
The SMART procedure is a global health initiative recognised by leading healthcare professionals and recommended by many of the most predominant healthcare and dentistry bodies. It involved a series of steps to protect the patient from unnecessary mercury exposure and dispose of this material safely.
Traditionally, dental fillings were made of amalgam – a mixture of mercury and an alloy of copper, tin and silver. It was widely used because the combination of mercury and alloy is incredibly durable and amalgam is very cheap to make. Although it may seem to be the perfect choice for fillings, over the years studies have shown that mercury amalgam fillings may contribute to a wide range of health problems.
As you eat or drink, small particles of amalgam are removed from your filling due to wear and tear. In addition, warm drinks may also accelerate the release of mercury. Research suggests that somewhere between 2 and 20mg/day of mercury each day is released from amalgam fillings and ingested.
Mercury is well-known as a toxic metal, which can be fatal if ingested in large enough amounts. Whilst the amount of mercury your body absorbs isn’t enough to kill you outright, it can cause a wide range of health problems in susceptible individuals.
In addition, once the mercury is in your body, it may take weeks or months to leave. This means that potentially you may have quite large levels of mercury circulating in your system, leading to a range of health difficulties.
Studies show that mercury can cause a range of symptoms and conditions. These include:
Whilst not everyone who has mercury amalgam fillings will experience these problems, those with an intolerance to mercury may well find that their health is poor. If you suffer from any of the above problems and have mercury amalgam fillings, removing the fillings may lead to a reduction in symptom severity and frequency.
At Casuarina Dental, we offer metal filling alternatives such as tooth-coloured ceramic fillings. Find out more by calling 02 6678 2220 today or book your mercury amalgam removal consultation below.
When exposed to the body, mercury is a toxic substance that can have a number of adverse health effects. This is why it is advised that you have any mercury amalgam removed, especially if you have a filling that is worn down, cracked or broken. Removing mercury fillings can have a positive impact on your health, especially oral health. If your dentist advises that you undergo the mercury removal procedure, it’s best to take up their advice and schedule a removal appointment.
Unfortunately, mercury fillings are still among the most commonly used type of filling by dentistry experts around the world.
One of the most common side effects following amalgam removal is mercury toxicity. Studies conducted suggest that mercury toxicity decreases by around sixty per cent in the first sixty days following removal. This is compared against pre-removal levels of mercury present. An important factor to note when discussing mercury toxicity levels after amalgam removal is that it is also subject to the overall health of the patient and the detoxification processes that they participate in. The more a person engages with mercury detoxification, the quicker the reduction of mercury toxicity.
Preparing for a mercury amalgam removal procedure can be done in some simple steps. Below are some things that you can do to minimise the aftereffects of mercury removal:
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