Greenville dentist practices the safe removal of amalgam fillings

If you have had tooth cavities filled, chances are you have a mouth full of “silver fillings,” which are amalgam fillings that contain a variety of metals bound together with mercury. For years, dentists have relied on amalgam fillings due to cost and convenience of the material. Holistic dentists, however, avoid these fillings because of the potential dangers associated with mercury. If you have silver throughout your mouth, turn to holistic dentists Dr. John Palmer of Palmer Distinctive Dentistry in Greenville for the safe removal of amalgam fillings.

Holistic dentists specialize in the entire wellbeing of their guests, including their physical, spiritual, and emotional health. They are “mercury-free” because they don’t work with amalgam fillings and use more natural materials for fillings instead. Mercury is classified as a neurotoxin, and exposure to mercury has been linked to serious health conditions that affect many systems within the body.

“Mercury-safe” is different from mercury-free in that it means the dentist has been specially trained to remove amalgam fillings safely. Simply drilling down and removing an amalgam filling is not safe, as the guest will be exposed to mercury particles released into the air during the removal process. As a fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Dr. Palmer is specially trained in the safe removal of amalgam fillings and can train other dentists using the strict protocols in place for the safety of guests.

To remove an amalgam filling, we will place a rubber dam around the tooth to protect oral tissues from coming into contact with any mercury particles. A mask is placed over the guest’s nose to prevent him or her from inhaling any mercury particulates. We use a suction tool with mercury filters to reduce the mercury release into the immediate surroundings. As a further precaution, Dr. Palmer and the team at Palmer Distinctive Dentistry wear protective clothing and use air purifiers to reduce contact with mercury particulates.

If you are a Greenville-area resident interested in the safe removal of amalgam fillings, call Palmer Distinctive Dentistry at to set up a consultation.