Safe Mercury Filling Removal By Dr. Stan Kovtun in Brookline, MA
Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, have been used for over 150 years to fill cavities in teeth. They are known for their durability and strength. However, due to concerns about the mercury content in amalgam fillings, they are less commonly used today.
Amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals, including mercury (a toxic substance), silver, tin, and copper. The safety of amalgam fillings has been debated for many years. The consensus among major health organizations, such as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is that amalgam fillings are safe and effective for filling cavities. The ADA states that the use of dental amalgam as a filling material is considered safe for adults and children over six years old. While mercury is one of the components in amalgam fillings, the amount of mercury in the filling is typically very low. It is bound to the other metals in the mixture, making it stable and “safe”.
The European Union has banned amalgam fillings in children under 15 years old and in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The ban took effect on July 1, 2018, while the US has no such bans.
However, some people may be sensitive or allergic to the metals in the amalgam fillings and may experience rare side effects like an allergic reaction or a rash. Concerns have been raised about releasing mercury vapor from amalgam fillings, particularly during the placement and removal of the fillings. The American Dental Association policy supports reducing environmental mercury. Safe mercury filling removal is a dental procedure used to remove amalgam fillings that contain mercury.
Mercury is a very toxic substance to your body and can cause many health issues. Mercury can be released into the body in several ways, including chewing, drinking hot liquids, and teeth grinding. But one of the most dangerous ways it is released is by removing mercury fillings. Safe mercury filling removal is essential to protect the patient, dentist, and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury. It is typically performed by a specially trained dentist knowledgeable about the risks associated with mercury exposure and the precautions necessary to minimize them. It is essential to find a dentist who has been trained and follows the IAOMT protocol to remove these harmful fillings safely.
Metal Fillings have properties of expansion due to heat and contraction due to cold so they function like an accordion inside your tooth creating cracks within the dentin that is later visible to the enamel. Amalgam filled teeth are generally missing a lot of internal tooth structure due to the need for physical mechanical retention of this metal within the tooth, unlike composites or porcelains.
Composite is superior in that it bonds to dentin and enamel and doesn’t specific internal designs for retention and is thus much more conservative.
If you have mercury amalgam dental fillings that have led to cracks in your teeth and or are leaking causing a bluish hue to the enamel and you are concerned, schedule a consultation for a safe amalgam filling removal with Doctor Stan Kovtun. He is certified with the IAOMT and takes every precaution to remove these potentially harmful fillings in the safest way possible for the patient, the staff, and the environment. We can replace your old fillings with porcelain or non-toxic resin materials (Admira Fusion, BPA free). Doctor Stan Kovtun and the team at Alpha Plus Dental have been trained in this mercury amalgam removal technique and follow the correct removal protocol, including exceptional air filtration and supplemental oxygen for the patient. Doctors and staff wear unique safety masks and remove the mercury fillings with a fantastic suction to ensure you are protected during this procedure.
Please call us at (617) 274-8494 if you are concerned about your mercury fillings and want to get rid of them. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Kovtun, the best dentist in Brookline, MA!
