Safe Mercury Removal
Although they’re often called “silver” fillings, the dental amalgam used to make them is roughly 50% mercury, one of the most toxic natural elements on Earth. It is especially harmful to the brain.
Because of this, we do not use mercury amalgam in our office. More, we follow strict safety protocols so when we need to remove amalgam fillings, our patients – and the Marin Dental Wellness team, not to mention anyone else who comes into our office – are protected as much as possible from mercury exposure.
Removing Mercury Safely at Marin Dental Wellness
The EPA actually designates amalgam as hazardous waste, so it’s no coincidence that so many patients experience overall health improvements after their old mercury fillings have been replaced with biocompatible restorations. Such improvements have been documented in the scientific literature, as well.
But if proper safety procedures aren’t followed, the additional mercury exposure during the removal process can actually make things worse.
Here are the procedures we follow here at Marin Dental Wellness:
Read the protocol with scientific documentation
Removing Mercury Safely at Marin Dental Wellness
Despite claims to the contrary, mercury is continually released from amalgam fillings. Some of it is inhaled. From your lungs, it enters the bloodstream, which then carries mercury throughout the body. A healthy person will clear at least some of the metal, but some also harbors in bodily tissues, such as the kidneys and brain. The mercury bioaccumulates, just as it does in fish.
This is why simply removing old fillings isn’t enough. That procedure merely removes the source of toxicity while doing nothing about the mercury that’s built up elsewhere in the body.
For that, detox is needed – and, in the case of individuals with chronic illness that’s been impacted by the presence of amalgam, “pretox” is also needed to ensure that the body is strong and capable enough to detox after the dental procedures.
If you’re in good health, you may be able to do this at home with a protocol we provide for your specific needs. In other cases, supervised detox may be needed, and we work closely with physicians to coordinate your care in this area. If you don’t already have a naturopathic or integrative physician who can provide detox services, we’re happy to refer you to one in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amalgam Removal
We understand you may have questions about the process. Here are the ones we hear most often from patients considering safe amalgam removal.
Why should I consider removing my mercury amalgam fillings?
Despite their name, “silver” amalgam fillings are actually about 50% mercury, a highly toxic metal that is especially dangerous for the brain and central nervous system. With every bite and swallow, every bit of friction or exposure to heat, mercury vapor is released. Some of it is inhaled and some of that gets harbored in the body’s tissues. Mercury can bioaccumulate in us just as it does in fish.
Symptoms of chronic mercury exposure can range from the mild, such as headaches and anxiety, to the more severe, such as cardiovascular problems and neurological and autoimmune disorders. Learn more.
Healthy people with amalgams may choose to have them replaced as a preventive measure. Those who are grappling with health issues triggered or worsened by mercury exposure choose removal as part of their healing journey, removing a source of illness to give their bodies an opportunity to heal.
How will I be protected from mercury exposure during the procedure?
We follow the scientifically supported guidelines developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, which were designed to protect not only the health of the patient but also the dental team and our environment.
This protocol involves the use of protective coverings, including a nasal mask or cannula for you to deliver free-flowing oxygen throughout the procedure and prevent the inhalation of mercury vapor. Powerful air filters and scrubbers in the treatment room and an aerosol vacuum placed in front of your mouth will capture most of the vapor. A rubber dam will be placed to isolate the teeth we will be working on to keep you from swallowing any amalgam particles.
For extra protection, we will give you a cocktail of activated charcoal and chlorella to help bind any mercury that may get into your system despite all precautions so it can be excreted through normal channels.
You can read the complete protocol here.
What will you replace my mercury fillings with?
Your new restorations will be made from either biocompatible composite or ceramic. It depends on the specific type of restoration needed, its size, and its location in the mouth.
How do you determine biocompatibility so we’re sure that whatever you replace my amalgams with will be safe?
While there are some materials, such as the zirconia used for crowns, that are considered biocompatible for most people, we can order serum testing to ensure that the materials we choose are a good match for your unique biochemistry. For this blood test, we rely on Biocomp Laboratories.
Will I really feel better once you’ve removed all of my old mercury amalgam fillings?
While some people have reported relatively quick resolution of certain symptoms after amalgam removal, it’s important to recognize that we’ve only removed the source of ongoing mercury exposure. The procedure does not address any mercury that’s come to be harbored in your body’s tissues over the years. For that, post-removal detox is needed.
What do you recommend for detox?
Any detox protocol from Quicksilver Scientific should be effective for most patients. In severe cases involving long-standing chronic conditions triggered or aggravated by mercury exposure, a formal, customized detox plan supervised by a naturopathic or integrative physician may be warranted. Dr. Smith will discuss your detox needs with you before your procedure.
Regardless of your specific protocol, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will play a key role. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals that are generated during the detox process, protecting vital organs and tissues. It also helps counteract the immunosuppressive effects of detox, ensuring that the body remains resilient and capable of defending itself. Importantly, vitamin C can enhance the effectiveness of chelation therapy, a process used to bind heavy metals like mercury so they can be excreted from the body.
Dr. Smith recommends NutriBiotic’s 100% pure vitamin C powder, which can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or through Amazon.
How much will it cost to get my mercury fillings removed?
There are many variables that can affect the cost of treatment, most notably how many teeth we will be working on and the types of restorations needed to replace them. Before scheduling your procedure(s), one of our team members will review all projected costs with you.
Will insurance pay for any of it?
Unless an amalgam is damaged in some way, removing it is generally considered an elective procedure and thus not covered by most dental benefit plans.