You probably recognize dental amalgams as the silver fillings that cap your teeth. They are the material that is used to fill the cavities you can get due to tooth decay. Dental amalgams have been used to fill cavities for more than a hundred years in millions of patients around the world.
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However, in recent years amalgams have spread concern among people due to their metal composition that contains mercury. Dental amalgam is a blend of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Mercury, which makes up about 50 percent of this mixture, binds the metals together to provide a robust, hard, durable filling.
In the past, amalgam fillings were thought to be chemically inactive, meaning that no mercury was released once the filling was placed in the tooth. In recent years, however, more sophisticated tests have shown that small amounts of mercury in the form of vapors are released as the filling wears off. Therefore, it is advised to opt for safe dental amalgam removal to get rid of mercury.
Risks of Exposed Mercury in Dental Amalgams
The biggest problem regarding mercury filling is that stimulation can cause these fillings to release mercury. These stimulations may include eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, grinding your teeth, or chewing gum.
Mercury vapours from the amalgam pass readily through cell membranes, across the blood-brain barrier, and enter into your central nervous system, where they can cause immunological, neurological, and even psychological problems.
Some of the symptoms you may experience due to exposed mercury include:
- Chronic headaches
- Mood swings
- Back pain
- Joint aches
- Digestive problems
What is the Significance of a Safe Amalgam Removal?
The majority of the individuals request the removal of their amalgam fillings to get less toxic alternatives. However, if suitable measures are not taken, these fillings might further expose you to significant amounts of mercury when removed.
Thus, it is imperative to opt for a safe protocol for silver mercury filling removal. A safe protocol is designed to minimize your exposure to toxic particles like mercury vapors. It is essential to view your teeth and gums as an integrated part of your entire body, and any dental treatment should be performed in harmony with the rest of your body.
How does Safe Amalgam Removal Work?
During removal, drilling out an amalgam filling generates a tremendous amount of heat, causing a dramatic increase in the release of mercury as both vapours and amalgam particles. However, cooling the filling with water and air while drilling reduces the number of vapours the filling releases. The safe protocol for dental amalgam removal also involves the following:
- Using high-volume evacuators with a powerful suction
- Rubber dams which isolate the teeth being worked on
- Immediately disposing of the filling particles
All these steps can dramatically reduce the absorption of mercury vapours or particles into the body.
What are the Alternative Filling Materials that can be Used?
Composite resin fillings are the most common alternatives to dental amalgams. They are more popularly used these days due to their “tooth-colored” appearance compared to the jarring silver color of amalgams. The color of composite resins can be customized to match and blend with your surrounding teeth closely. It is also recommended as it requires minimal removal of healthy tooth structure for placement.
Also, some amalgams now contain indium. Indium helps retain the mercury so that less of it is released into the environment. There are also high-copper amalgams that contain less mercury and more copper.
Other materials like porcelain and gold are also used as dental fillings.
Get Mercury-free with Euromed®
If you are suffering from chronic symptoms due to dental amalgams, Euromed® Clinic can provide the relief you seek! Consistently providing top-quality dental care, we are one of the best dental clinics in Dubai. Our dentists use the “Amalgam Safe Removal Protocol” designed to protect you and keep your teeth and body healthy. You can schedule a consultation with our dentists by calling us or filling in the form given below.
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