Is there a proper way to remove mercury fillings?

25 Sep Is there a proper way to remove mercury fillings?

As with most things in life, there is a right way and wrong way to complete a task. However, none is more critical to getting it right than mercury filling removal. Dental professionals acknowledge the silver amalgam dental fillings that have been used to repair dental decay for years contain one of the most hazardous and toxic materials available … mercury.
The controversy swirling around the use of amalgam is not only going on in American, but around the globe. Dentists in several countries like Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Germany are forbidden by law to use the product that contains mercury to repair dental decay.
Years ago, amalgam was the most widely used and accepted form of treatment for dental decay. Now, however, with the introduction of composite resin there is a safe and effective alternative that is replacing amalgam.
As patients age, the amalgam fillings that were placed when they were children are starting to fail. But how safe is it to remove those old fillings?
Done correctly and with the proper precautions, many dentists will remove old silver fillings and replace them with the tooth colored composite resin. Finding the dental provider that will take the necessary steps to protect the patient may require a consultation to learn what is needed to safely remove silver fillings. Those steps include:

1. Create a barrier to protect the patient from swallowing any of the filling. A rubber dam is often used to isolate the area.
2. Guarantee sufficient oxygen flow so the patient and dental providers are adequately protected from mercury vapors.
3. Provide constant and strong suction to ensure all amalgam is removed.
4. Steady rinsing coupled with suction is needed with a thorough rinsing provided after all amalgam has been removed to guarantee the patients does not swallow any amalgam.

These precautions are to be considered the minimum standards offered by a dentist that will be removing dental amalgam.
As the controversy about using dental amalgam continues, it pays to educate yourself about the pros and cons of removing old silver fillings.
For more information on safe and effective removal of mercury fillings, contact the Dallas office of Dr. Philip Kozlow at 972-458-2464 today.