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Safe Amalgam Replacement
We take replacing amalgams very seriously. We take every precaution necessary to minimise any mercury exposure not only for you, but also for us. The precautions we take are outlined by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) called the Safe Amalgam Replacement Removal Technique (SMART).
Amalgams are metallic dental fillings consisting of approximately:
Mercury (50%)
Silver (22-32%)
Tin (14%)
Copper (8%)
Other trace metals, which may include zinc, indium, palladium and/or platinum
Once the most commonly used restorative material in dentistry, its use has declined since the 1980’s with the advent of the tooth-coloured dental restorative materials, such as composite resin and porcelain.
Though dental amalgams are long-lasting and economical as a restorative material, there have been growing concerns over the potential medical and environmental impacts of their uses, due to the mercury content, including possible links to Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, other neurobehavioural changes and autoimmune diseases.
There is very little doubt about the toxicity of mercury to humans and the accumulative damage it can cause to humans and the environment, but whether the mercury in dental amalgams is a significant contributing detrimental factor to general health and well-being remains to be proven conclusively, though some countries, such as Sweden and Norway, have introduced legislation to prohibit the use of amalgam fillings.
Here is one of our examples of replacing residual amalgam safely:
This 60-year-old woman at the time was interested in amalgam replacement and had some replaced elsewhere, but was unsure if the dentist was undertaking the correct precautions and also questioned the quality of the composite resin used to replace the amalgam.
Her last lower right molars had multiple composite resin patch-ups, which collectively appeared worn with loss of contour and form, and a suspicious grey tinge in the tooth structure underneath.
An X-ray was taken and sure enough, it was observed that there was amalgam left underneath by the previous practitioner, rather than it being completely removed. The blue arrows on the x-ray indicate where the residual amalgam was.
Upon taking the necessary SMART precautions to remove the amalgam as safe as possible, there was considerable amalgam remaining, as well as secondary decay.
After the complete removal of the residual amalgam and decay, composite resin was placed, replicating the natural form of the original tooth.
Despite all these precautions we undertake, e.g. non-latex rubber dam and IQ Air Purifier with activated carbon filter, inadvertently there will likely be some exposure to all parties in the process of replacing amalgams. Therefore, we recommend seeing your holistic GP, naturopath or homeopath before endeavouring to replace your amalgams electively to ensure that your body is well-prepared to deal with any mercury exposure, whether that is through dietary supplementation or other means. We are happy to co-ordinate with them to ensure the best possible care is taken.
If you have been interested in replacing your amalgams, there is no better time. The first step is to book in for a consultation and take x-rays. We can always request previous x-rays at a different practice, as long as they are relatively recent, e.g. within the last 18-24 months.
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