Safe removal of silver mercury fillings (amalgams) from Greenville, SC, area dentist

The potential dangers of mercury have been widely publicized for many years. Most people are well aware of the fact that mercury has been removed from products such as thermometers. As studies have continued to find, the exposure to mercury vapors from amalgam fillings may also be a concern.

As the safety of silver mercury fillings (amalgams), has been brought into question, many guests have begun to look into alternative restorations when they are faced with cavities. The good news is there have been perfectly suitable alternatives to dental amalgam available for years. Composite resin fillings are biocompatible, which means they are safe to use in the mouth. In addition, they can be matched to the color of the tooth, which means there is no longer a silver filling that can take away from the appearance of the smile.

While the availability of a biocompatible filling material is great news, many guests have old amalgam fillings that have been in place for years. So the question now becomes, “Should you have old amalgam fillings removed.”

Many dentists believe in leaving amalgam fillings unless they are broken and need to be removed. This may be in part to the strict protocols put in place by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the fear of unnecessary mercury exposure. When silver mercury fillings (amalgams), are improperly removed, the exposure to mercury vapors can be much greater than that of the filling remaining untouched in the mouth.

The truth is, when the dentist and staff are properly trained and the removal protocol is followed precisely, the danger for exposure is greatly reduced. Dr. Palmer and his team at Palmer Distinctive Dentistry have years of experience and training in the proper and safe removal of silver mercury fillings (amalgams).

Some of the safety measures we take include:

• Removing the filling while keeping it cool to keep mercury vapors or particles from being released
• Using proper suction to pull any particles away immediately
• Use of non-latex gloves by the staff
• Use of the rubber dam to keep the rest of the mouth protected

Our staff also practices safe disposal of the fillings to ensure that the mercury is not reintroduced to the environment. For Greenville, SC, area guests interested in finding out more about the safe removal of silver mercury fillings (amalgams), call us today.

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