Mercury Filling Removal can be a very hazardous procedure. Be sure your
dentist is willing to follow the following guidelines that are designed to protect you
from unnecessary mercury poisoning.
1. Provide the patient with an alternative source of air
It is essential to provide dental patients with an alternative air source while their
amalgam fillings are being removed. This is not necessary after the removal process
when the tooth is being prepared for the new filling or while the new filling is being placed.
But during the actual removal of the mercury filling, the patient should be provided with a
protective mask through which to breathe either compressed air from a tank, air from a
source outside the office, or oxygen from a tank. The patient should be instructed to
breathe through the nose and avoid breathing through the mouth while the fillings are
being removed. This is absolutely necessary for removing amalgam fillings from the teeth
of pregnant and nursing mothers, patients who have allergies, immune system problems,
or any other health issues related to chronic mercury poisoning.
2. Use a rubber dental dam
A rubber dam isolates the tooth or teeth being worked on. It was believed that the
rubber dam would protect the patient from breathing mercury vapor in through the mouth.
We now know that mercury vapor can readily pass through a rubber dam made out of
latex, the most commonly used rubber dam material. Many patients have heard that the
rubber dam offers a great deal of protection and should absolutely be included as part of
the safe removal protocol. Some people will even insist on its use to protect them from
mercury vapor.
3. Use a high-volume evacuator
Most mercury free dentists use a more powerful suction system than the type used by
most pro-amalgam dentists. This is one of the most important tools in minimizing the
patient’s exposure to mercury vapor and amalgam particles. The evacuator tip should be
kept to within 1⁄2 inch of the filling during the entire time the filling is being removed. This
helps capture more of the mercury vapor and particles. All mercury free dentists should
follow this procedure.
4. Keep the fillings cool during removal
Drilling out an amalgam filling generates a tremendous amount of heat, which causes a
significant increase in the release of mercury, both as a vapor and in amalgam particles,
during the entire removal process. Cooling the filling with water and air while drilling
substantially reduces the amount of mercury vapor the filling releases.
5. Cutting the Amalgam into Chunks
Most mercury-free dentists use a removal process that’s commonly referred to as
chunking. This involves less drilling, because the dentist only drills enough to cut the
filling into chunks, which can then be easily removed by a hand instrument or suction.
Both chunking and keeping the filling cool during removal are very important and all
mercury free dentists should follow this procedure.
6. Cover the patient's face and eyes
Mercury can easily be absorbed through the skin and especially the eyes. Many drugs
are currently being administered through the use of skin patches because the skin is a
very good delivery method for chemicals to enter the blood stream. The patients face
should be covered with cloth or paper and goggles should be used to protect the
eyes from mercury dust and vapor.
The use of the first six steps listed in the protocol will provide the greatest source of
protection from mercury vapor for the patient. But while the rubber dam offers little
protection against mercury vapor it does make it easier to evacuate the filling material
and prevent amalgam particles from being swallowed.
If a composite filling is used to replace a mercury amalgam filling, the rubber dam offers
an isolated and dry field for placing the composite filling. The dentist will decide when it is
necessary. It does take some time to place and remove the rubber dam, it can be a little
uncomfortable, and some patients simply cannot tolerate its use. There are other
exceptions to its use because the position or location of some teeth, particularly 3rd
molars, or so-called wisdom teeth, may make it impossible to place a rubber dam.
Whether your dentist uses a rubber dam or not you should always focus on
breathing through your nose during the entire time the amalgam fillings are
being removed.
7. Remove gloves and clean the patient’s mouth
Once the filling(s) have been removed and replaced, the dentist and the assistant should
remove and dispose of their gloves and the rubber dam, and thoroughly rinse
and vacuum the patient’s entire mouth for at least 15 seconds. This will help
remove amalgam particles and residual mercury vapor from the mouth. The patient
should make every effort not to swallow during the rinsing procedure. It is also suggest
that after the rinsing procedure, the patient use a small amount of water and gargle as far
back into his throat as possible. The patient should not swallow this watery residue!
Instead, he or she should spit it into a sink or cup. All mercury free dentists should follow
this procedure but it won't hurt to remind him or her.
8. Immediately clean up
After the fillings have been removed and replaced, the dentist or dental assistant should
immediately remove and dispose of the patient’s protective covering and
thoroughly clean his/her face and neck. All mercury free dentists should routinely do
this but remind the assistant if he or she forgets, after all you don't want to take any
mercury home with you.
9. Use additional air purification
Some mercury free dentists use an additional air filtering system that’s placed as
close to the patient’s mouth as is practical. The more popular ones resemble an elephant’
s trunk and have openings about 4 inches in diameter. This can be helpful, but many
mercury free dentists believe that the patient can be adequately protected without such a
system. More and more mercury free dentists are using this type of purification system
and while it’s a nice addition to the removal protocol, it is more important for the dentist
and assistant than the patient.
10. Filtering air in the operatory
There are a number of effective ways to purify the air in the dental office. I’m not
making specific recommendations. But many mercury free dental offices filter the office
air, as they work in it all day and it’s to their benefit to do so. This is more important for
the dentist and staff than for the patient. Although mercury free offices don’t place
amalgam fillings, they certainly are required to remove them. Keep in mind that you will
only be at the office for a short period of time but the dentist and his or her staff will be
removing these fillings many times throughout the day. All mercury free dentists should
want to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their entire staff from
excessive exposure to mercury.
11. Use chlorella
There’s some evidence that chlorella taken 10-15 minutes before amalgam removal can
bind smaller particles of swallowed mercury, allowing them to be harmlessly passed out of
the intestine via the feces rather than absorbed into the brain and nervous system. See
instructions for patients for more info on chlorella usage.
Dr. Webster can refer you to a qualified mercury-free dentist and chelate the
existing mercury from your body.
972-735-0707
dentist is willing to follow the following guidelines that are designed to protect you
from unnecessary mercury poisoning.
1. Provide the patient with an alternative source of air
It is essential to provide dental patients with an alternative air source while their
amalgam fillings are being removed. This is not necessary after the removal process
when the tooth is being prepared for the new filling or while the new filling is being placed.
But during the actual removal of the mercury filling, the patient should be provided with a
protective mask through which to breathe either compressed air from a tank, air from a
source outside the office, or oxygen from a tank. The patient should be instructed to
breathe through the nose and avoid breathing through the mouth while the fillings are
being removed. This is absolutely necessary for removing amalgam fillings from the teeth
of pregnant and nursing mothers, patients who have allergies, immune system problems,
or any other health issues related to chronic mercury poisoning.
2. Use a rubber dental dam
A rubber dam isolates the tooth or teeth being worked on. It was believed that the
rubber dam would protect the patient from breathing mercury vapor in through the mouth.
We now know that mercury vapor can readily pass through a rubber dam made out of
latex, the most commonly used rubber dam material. Many patients have heard that the
rubber dam offers a great deal of protection and should absolutely be included as part of
the safe removal protocol. Some people will even insist on its use to protect them from
mercury vapor.
3. Use a high-volume evacuator
Most mercury free dentists use a more powerful suction system than the type used by
most pro-amalgam dentists. This is one of the most important tools in minimizing the
patient’s exposure to mercury vapor and amalgam particles. The evacuator tip should be
kept to within 1⁄2 inch of the filling during the entire time the filling is being removed. This
helps capture more of the mercury vapor and particles. All mercury free dentists should
follow this procedure.
4. Keep the fillings cool during removal
Drilling out an amalgam filling generates a tremendous amount of heat, which causes a
significant increase in the release of mercury, both as a vapor and in amalgam particles,
during the entire removal process. Cooling the filling with water and air while drilling
substantially reduces the amount of mercury vapor the filling releases.
5. Cutting the Amalgam into Chunks
Most mercury-free dentists use a removal process that’s commonly referred to as
chunking. This involves less drilling, because the dentist only drills enough to cut the
filling into chunks, which can then be easily removed by a hand instrument or suction.
Both chunking and keeping the filling cool during removal are very important and all
mercury free dentists should follow this procedure.
6. Cover the patient's face and eyes
Mercury can easily be absorbed through the skin and especially the eyes. Many drugs
are currently being administered through the use of skin patches because the skin is a
very good delivery method for chemicals to enter the blood stream. The patients face
should be covered with cloth or paper and goggles should be used to protect the
eyes from mercury dust and vapor.
The use of the first six steps listed in the protocol will provide the greatest source of
protection from mercury vapor for the patient. But while the rubber dam offers little
protection against mercury vapor it does make it easier to evacuate the filling material
and prevent amalgam particles from being swallowed.
If a composite filling is used to replace a mercury amalgam filling, the rubber dam offers
an isolated and dry field for placing the composite filling. The dentist will decide when it is
necessary. It does take some time to place and remove the rubber dam, it can be a little
uncomfortable, and some patients simply cannot tolerate its use. There are other
exceptions to its use because the position or location of some teeth, particularly 3rd
molars, or so-called wisdom teeth, may make it impossible to place a rubber dam.
Whether your dentist uses a rubber dam or not you should always focus on
breathing through your nose during the entire time the amalgam fillings are
being removed.
7. Remove gloves and clean the patient’s mouth
Once the filling(s) have been removed and replaced, the dentist and the assistant should
remove and dispose of their gloves and the rubber dam, and thoroughly rinse
and vacuum the patient’s entire mouth for at least 15 seconds. This will help
remove amalgam particles and residual mercury vapor from the mouth. The patient
should make every effort not to swallow during the rinsing procedure. It is also suggest
that after the rinsing procedure, the patient use a small amount of water and gargle as far
back into his throat as possible. The patient should not swallow this watery residue!
Instead, he or she should spit it into a sink or cup. All mercury free dentists should follow
this procedure but it won't hurt to remind him or her.
8. Immediately clean up
After the fillings have been removed and replaced, the dentist or dental assistant should
immediately remove and dispose of the patient’s protective covering and
thoroughly clean his/her face and neck. All mercury free dentists should routinely do
this but remind the assistant if he or she forgets, after all you don't want to take any
mercury home with you.
9. Use additional air purification
Some mercury free dentists use an additional air filtering system that’s placed as
close to the patient’s mouth as is practical. The more popular ones resemble an elephant’
s trunk and have openings about 4 inches in diameter. This can be helpful, but many
mercury free dentists believe that the patient can be adequately protected without such a
system. More and more mercury free dentists are using this type of purification system
and while it’s a nice addition to the removal protocol, it is more important for the dentist
and assistant than the patient.
10. Filtering air in the operatory
There are a number of effective ways to purify the air in the dental office. I’m not
making specific recommendations. But many mercury free dental offices filter the office
air, as they work in it all day and it’s to their benefit to do so. This is more important for
the dentist and staff than for the patient. Although mercury free offices don’t place
amalgam fillings, they certainly are required to remove them. Keep in mind that you will
only be at the office for a short period of time but the dentist and his or her staff will be
removing these fillings many times throughout the day. All mercury free dentists should
want to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their entire staff from
excessive exposure to mercury.
11. Use chlorella
There’s some evidence that chlorella taken 10-15 minutes before amalgam removal can
bind smaller particles of swallowed mercury, allowing them to be harmlessly passed out of
the intestine via the feces rather than absorbed into the brain and nervous system. See
instructions for patients for more info on chlorella usage.
Dr. Webster can refer you to a qualified mercury-free dentist and chelate the
existing mercury from your body.
972-735-0707
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