Mercury Filling Removal

Mercury Filling Removal in Tijuana

If you would like to have your mercury fillings removed, BioDental Care is one of only a few dental practices that have the specialized training and equipment to do this in the safest manner. We use only bio-compatible, BPA-free, and non-toxic dental materials on all our patients and follow the approved protocol for removing mercury amalgam fillings, established by the International Academy of Oral Medicine. 

Consider having your silver fillings removed before they break down and possibly begin to leak mercury. It may be time for a safe removal of amalgam fillings if:

• Your fillings are over 10 years old.
• You grind or clinch your teeth.
• You’re sensitive to metals.
• Your teeth have started to fracture around your fillings.
• Your fillings have become sensitive.

The disadvantages of using mercury as a material for a dental filling

According to research findings of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), dental amalgams (or silver fillings) contain 45-55% metallic mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause serious harm to humans, animals, and the environment. The IAOMT is a network of dentists and physicians and other health professionals across the globe that have been researching the risks of dental mercury since their organization was founded in 1984. Their work has played an important role in helping us understand the harmful risks associated with the use of mercury as a dental filling.
The health risks associated with mercury exposure include developmental problems in childhood, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory complications, a weakened immune system, neurological damage, reduced sperm count or decreased fertility, heart problems, and other health conditions and complications. Recently, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that certain groups, such as pregnant women and children, are at even greater risk of harmful health effects from mercury exposure than the general population.

The disadvantages of using mercury as a dental filling include:

• Mercury vapor is continuously emitted from dental mercury amalgam fillings, and 80% of that vapor is absorbed by the lungs and passed to the rest of the body
• Mercury particulate can be discharged from everyday activities, such as chewing, teeth brushing, and drinking hot beverages
• Mercury dental fillings are associated with mercury levels found in the cord blood and placenta of pregnant women, as well as the kidney and liver of fetuses, and the hair, brain, and kidneys of infants
• Mercury dental fillings are associated with the excretion of mercury through the breastmilk of nursing mothers
• Mercury amalgam fillings put dental staff at risk of mercury poisoning
• Mercury released into the environment from the wastewater of dental offices can harm wildlife and contaminate the area’s food web for generations, putting entire populations at risk of mercury exposure

If you’re having your teeth filled for the first time, be sure to ask what materials will be used and to insist on mercury-free fillings. If you already have amalgam fillings and you’re looking to have them removed, it’s crucial to work with a dentist who practices the SMART technique.

The Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)

The process of drilling silver fillings in an effort to remove them releases large amounts of vapor that could potentially endanger the life of the patient, the dentist, the medical team, and the fetus of anyone present. That’s why we at BioDental adhere to a very strict protocol that prescribes guidelines for the safe removal of amalgam fillings—a set of precautions, developed after much research.

As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident that we are following all safety measures for patient protection, including using:

• Full head/neck/face/body barrier
• Nasal masks that delivers external air
• Non-latex nitrile dental dams 
• Charcoal, chlorella, or similar absorbent
• Saliva ejectors
• Oral aerosol vacuums
• High speed evacuation devices
• Instructions for the removal of amalgam in large chunks

The IAOMT offers a set of protocol recommendations for the removal of mercury fillings.  Those recommendations are known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). The detailed protective measures involved in the SMART procedure include:

• Protective gowns and covers for the patient, dentist, and all staff present in the room 
• Eye protection
• A dental dam in the patient’s mouth 
• Respiratory-grade masks designed to capture mercury particles and vapors to be worn by dental personnel
• Special removal tools and techniques used by the dentist 
• Clean up suction devices
• Saliva ejector to remove potentially contaminated saliva from the patient’s mouth
• The use of amalgam separators to capture mercury particles and reduce the amount of mercury that enter the sewage system
• Filtration systems designed to remove mercury vapor and particles released during the removal of the fillings’
• Charcoal supplements and/or chlorella rinse given to the patient to help bind and prevent mercury absorption
• Open windows in the room if possible to help reduce the mercury concentration in the air

These and other protective measures recommended by the IAOMT aim to protect the patient, the dental staff, and the environment from the dangers of mercury exposure. 

Dentist and Dental Staff Protection

We also adhere strictly to all safety measures put in place to protect the dentist and dental staff. You can expect to find Dr. Trejo and his assistants wearing protective gowns and covers as well as non-latex nitrile gloves, face shields, and head/hair coverings. We use sealed, respiratory-grade masks to capture mercury and provide oxygen to the patient. 

Office Protection

In addition to making every effort to protect our patient, dentist and his assistants from the dangerous toxins of mercury, we guarantee our office is safe as well, by opening windows and complying with all regulations pertaining to proper handling, cleaning, and disposal of mercury-contaminated items. 

Dentist Certification

Dr. Trejo has completed all necessary coursework related to mercury and the removal of silver fillings. We want you to be confident, knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning, enrolling in accreditation program annually to maintain his certification and stay up to date on all safety measures.

The best material for your new filling

There are a number of different filling materials available that do not carry the same health risks as mercury amalgam fillings. Some even have the added benefit of looking more natural than “silver fillings.” The most common mercury-free filling materials include:

• Gold fillings
  Consisting of a mixture of metals that usually includes copper, silver, palladium, platinum, and/or zinc, gold fillings are highly durable, biocompatible, and will not fracture. They are often used in the molars of patients with bruxism (teeth grinding).
• Composite fillings
  Resin composite fillings are made from a compound that can be closely matched to the color of your teeth, making them virtually unnoticeable. Composite fillings, however, are not the most durable option and do need to be replaced every five to seven years.
• Ceramic fillings
  Made of porcelain, ceramic fillings are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and one of the most popular options in holistic dentistry. Ceramic fillings can last for up to two decades.

The best material for your new filling will be determined by your preference, your budget, your lifestyle, and your oral health concerns. At BioDental Care in Tijuana, we’ll explain your options, answer all your questions, and help you choose the dental filling material that’s right for you.

BioDental Care in Tijuana offer removal and replacement of mercury fillings at an affordable price. If you are interested in mercury filling removal and replace with tooth-colored fillings schedule a consultation today by calling (619) 754-8508.