Dothan dentist offers safe mercury amalgam removal

If you are an adult with one or more filled cavities in your teeth, chances are you have mercury in your mouth. Adults who understand the health risks of mercury often ask if they should get it removed. Dr. Nathan Pfister of Biodentist Alabama in Dothan, Alabama, is a holistic dentist who cares about his patient’s oral health and their overall wellness. Dr. Pfister provides valuable information about safe amalgam filling removal and replacing it with a mercury-free as well as a metal-free alternative.

What are mercury fillings?

Amalgam, or the silver fillings that dentists have been using for many years, are made up of approximately 50% of mercury. In recent years, the use of mercury fillings has been a criticized dental practice because of the metal’s potential toxicity and contribution to various brain, kidney, and immune deficiency diseases. Adding fuel to the growing concern over the use of mercury fillings is that the amount of mercury a person is exposed to increases when the metal is heated – which can occur during teeth brushing, eating, dental cleanings, and when a person grinds his teeth.

Should mercury fillings be removed?

Mercury fillings can be removed for several reasons:

• A broken or damaged filling – a filling that is broken or damaged can be at greater risk for introducing mercury to the body. These fillings should be replaced as quickly as possible. Also, it is important to note that most fillings don’t last more than ten years. Patients who have old fillings should have them checked.
• Concern about toxicity from the filling – studies have shown that mercury can negatively impact a person’s health and well-being. Patients who feel their health is being affected can opt to have the filling removed and replaced with a safer option.
• To restore a metal filling with a white, enamel-colored restoration – many patients simply don’t like the appearance of a metal filling. Dr. Pfister can replace the metal filling with a more attractive option.

How are mercury fillings removed?

Patients who opt for the removal of mercury fillings should find a trained and experienced dentist to perform the removal. The certification of safe removal is called SMART Certified through IAOMT. Dr. Pfister is both Accredited IAOMT as well as SMART certified. If the right process isn’t followed, it can release toxins into the surrounding environment and expose the patient, the dentist, and his staff. Dr. Pfister follows several safety measures, including:

• Using a nasal mask to provide the patient with safe air to breathe
• Fitting the tooth with a protective nitrile rubber dam to ensure that the mercury isn’t swallowed or come in contact with the tissue in the mouth
• Using a ‘chunking’ technique to remove the filing
• Using oral irrigation, high-volume air purifiers made for mercury vapor resting on the patient’s chin, and disposable gowns to keep the patient and staff safe
• Providing nutritional counseling to patients to help them understand the body’s natural detox system

Once the filling is removed, it can be replaced with a filling made of tooth-colored resin or ceramic. These filling materials not only match the patient’s teeth, they are strong and are a great long-term option. Dr. Pfister prefers, when possible that minimally invasive options are used to restore teeth rather than traditional full-coverage crowns.

If you’re looking for dentists who care about your overall wellness, contact Dr. Nathan Pfister and Dr. Brian Pfister at Biodentist Alabama for more information about the connection between the health of your mouth and the health of your body. The team offers a number of holistic treatments, including treatment of decay via a modified CAMBRA, bacteria testing, and micro air abrasion to keep your entire family healthy and smiling confidently. For more information, call (855) 939-5566 today.