The Safe Removal of Mercury Fillings in Lincoln, NE

At Nebraska Family Dentistry, we are interested in making sure your dental treatment is completed with your overall health and well-being in mind. What does this mean? You and your loved one’s health is our top priority, and that’s why we perform non-toxic non-invasive dental treatments. Often a patient in pain will begin to avoid necessary treatment, resulting in a decline in oral and overall health. Toxic materials can harm other areas of the body, which in turn can cause adverse conditions and reactions.

Nebraska Family Dentistry firmly believes in Mercury-free, non-amalgam fillings as part of a “healthy you” approach. As mercury-free dentists, we only use resin or porcelain for tooth restorations. Both porcelain and resin materials are excellent alternatives to amalgam. We’re also mercury-safe dentists, which means that all of our Nebraska Family Dentistry dentists remove all mercury fillings following our strict safety guidelines. What else? We are also proud to offer “Clean Air” to our team members and patients. How do we ensure the safe removal of amalgam and clean air?

How does Nebraska Family Dentistry ensure the safe removal of amalgam and clean air?

The safe removal of amalgam is done first and foremost with a highly trained dental team and the proper tools. Our dentists at Nebraska Family Dentistry and their teams follow specific guidelines to ensure that you and every member of our team have minimal exposure. Afterward, we also offer recommendations to aid in the detoxification process. Such recommendations might include but are not limited to proper nutrition. What happens within the dental operatory room itself is also just as critical.

The procedure of toxic filling removal that we follow at our office includes the following:

At our office: 

1. Keeping the filling cool:
   We remove fillings under a constant cold water spray to keep the temperature down and reduce the release of mercury vapor.
   
2. Cutting the filling into chunks:
   The removal procedure involves cutting the filling into smaller chunks that can be easily removed.
   
3. Using a high-volume evacuation (HVE):
   We use a high-volume evacuation system that helps collect and scavenge released mercury vapor. A suction tube remains in the mouth during the procedure, removing mercury and saliva.
   
4. Using an Isolite:
   We use a non-latex Isolite to prevent swallowing or breathing of toxic mercury.
   
5. Keeping the air pure:
   We have an air filtering system that cleans the air and collects mercury vapor.

Post-Procedure Treatment

After the removal of a mercury filling, we recommend that all of our patients have proper nutrition. Be sure to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in minerals and vitamins to aid your immune system during the process of detoxification.

In addition to consuming more fresh foods like fruits and vegetables, taking activated charcoal and Emergen-C have all been found to be helpful detoxification materials.

What about clean air?

What about clean air; how is that possible? Clean air is possible with the use of multiple things all working together. It’s important to know that clean air is impossible when using only high suction and a central air condition system. Clean air is, however, possible when multiple pieces of equipment are all in use together. Here are some of the most important things you should consider when creating clean air in any dental office.

• Servicing and updating the building’s existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
• Negative Pressure Room: install commercial-grade exhaust fans.
• Air scrubber.
• ERV system (energy recovery ventilator).
• Freestanding, commercial-grade air purification systems.
• HVE and the use of the HVE System for hygiene procedures.
• Use of a rubber dam.
• Use of an Isolite.
• Hydrogen peroxide or iodine rinse before any treatment or exam thereby decreasing loads of pathogens coming from patients’ mouths.
• Use of high filtration, N95 masks. 

We use clean air by IQAir and we have strong filtration systems installed in every office. These air filtration systems exchange air every 60 seconds.

Those silver-colored metal fillings that dentists have used for years, also known as amalgam fillings, contain a toxic material we know as Mercury. Evidence suggests that there is a strong connection between several physical ailments and mercury exposure. An amalgam restoration or filling releases mercury vapor each time that pressure is applied. One way pressure is created by chewing. During this process, mercury vapors invade the bloodstream and are thought to accelerate or even cause inflammation occurring within some patient’s bodies. Mercury in the body has been shown to have some connection with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and a lowered immune system, among others.

Our filtration is able to capture ultra-fine particles down to .003 microns and clean 90% of the particles through all applications of dentistry. This top-of-the-line air cleaning system has high-efficiency filters that catch harmful things including but not limited to :

• Mercury vapors/gas
• Harmful parts of disinfectants
• Volatile organic compounds used in dental material
  

Because we promote wellness at the workplace, we have installed an air-filtration system to help reduce the number of harmful aerosols that are created during appointments. The air-filtration system helps remove excess mercury vapor released into the air during the removal process of old amalgam fillings. In addition to this office-wide system, we have individual air-vacuum units at each of our locations. This vacuum helps pull in more of the vapors located near the patient’s face during amalgam filling removal. Not only does it reduce the risk to patients during appointments, but it helps keep our offices safe for all team members because of the reduction in bacterial aerosols and mercury vapors during patient care hours.

What Makes A Dentist A “Mercury-Safe” Dentist?

Removing amalgam fillings isn’t enough. To be considered mercury-safe dentists, our Nebraska Family Dentistry dentists go the extra mile and follow strict protocols any time they remove mercury-containing amalgam fillings. Simply removing amalgam fillings without following any protocols causes mercury vapors to be released, which is toxic to the doctor and their team, the environment, and the patient. But when strict protocols are followed, our Nebraska Family Dentistry dentists ensure that all amalgam is safely removed.

Our dentists can remove an amalgam filling either by cutting and dislodging the filling or grinding it down with a drill. Either of these procedures, however, will release mercury vapors. But, at Nebraska Family Dentistry, our dentists take extra steps and use a high volume evacuator to remove vapors and particulates, so they don’t get into the saliva or throat. Also, evacuated particles must be captured using a unique system to prevent the contamination of wastewater or the environment. Additional tools can further contain the harmful vapors and tiny particles of amalgam to comply with proper disposal.

In the interest of delivering the best and safest mercury removal experience, the dental team at Nebraska Family Dentistry takes all the necessary precautions to ensure your risk of mercury exposure remains low during the process of removal. Ultimately your safety and health are our top priority, and we don’t want to take any chances.

Should you Consider The Removal of Your Mercury Fillings?

We feel that you deserve to be as healthy as possible. Our team also believes that it is vital you know that your dental health is critical to your entire body’s health. For example, gum disease that is left untreated can, in turn, cause other problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and more. So, making sure your gums and teeth are healthy will positively affect your overall health and well-being. Because of Nebraska Family Dentistry’s meticulous and thorough skills means you are in great hands. Let our team at Nebraska Family Dentistry take care of you.

If you have any of the following, you might want to consider the replacement of your amalgam fillings.

• Cavity under old mercury filling(s)
• Stained or gray teeth
• If you want a whiter smile
• Cracked old mercury filling(s)
• Overall health concerns
• Grinding or clenching
  

If you are interested in removing and replacing your amalgam fillings, give us a call today. Be on your way to a better, healthier you!

**Below please find some articles and corresponding links to help you better understand the risks of amalgam fillings.**

Tests suggest mercury in the air at some dental clinics
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article53119430.html

Dental group defends mercury fillings amid mounting evidence of risks
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article53118775.html

[Mercury and health in dental practice].
(PMID:12700853)
Morales Fuentes I, Reyes Gil R
Revista de saude publica [2003 Apr;37(2):266-72]

Experiences from the amalgam unit at Huddinge hospital–somatic and psychosomatic aspects.
(PMID:9456069)
Langworth S
Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health [1997;23 Suppl 3:65-7]

[Amalgam risk assessment with coverage of references up to 2005].
(PMID:15789284)
Mutter J, Naumann J, Walach H, Daschner F

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes
(Germany)) [2005 Mar;67(3):204-16]

[Amalgam: a risk assessment using a review of the latest literature through 2005].
(PMID:16705556)
Halbach S
Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany)) [2006 Apr;68(4):e1-6; discussion e6-15]

Are mercury amalgam fillings safe for children? An evaluation of recent research results.
(PMID:16862738)
Rode D
Alternative therapies in health and medicine [2006 Jul-Aug;12(4):16-7]

Evidence supporting a link between dental amalgams and chronic illness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
(PMID:25617876)
Kern JK, Geier DA, Bjørklund G, King PG, Homme KG, Haley BE, Sykes LK, Geier MR
Neuroendocrinology letters [2014;35(7):537-52]

The safety of dental amalgam in children.
(PMID:17044804)
Martin MD, Woods JS
Expert opinion on drug safety [2006 Nov;5(6):773-81]

Mercury amalgam dental fillings: an epidemiologic assessment.
(PMID:16448848)
Bates MN
International journal of hygiene and environmental health [2006 Jul;209(4):309-16]

Medical implications of dental mercury: a review.
(PMID:17362846)
Huggins HA
Explore (New York, N.Y.) [2007 Mar-Apr;3(2):110-7]

Environmental medicine, part three: long-term effects of chronic low-dose mercury exposure.
(PMID:10869102)
Crinnion WJ
Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic [2000 Jun;5(3):209-23]

[Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pediatric mercury poisoning].
(PMID:18706196)
Wang L
Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics [2008 Aug;10(4):573-6]

[Mercury and Alzheimer’s disease].
(PMID:17628833)
Mutter J, Naumann J, Schneider R, Walach H
Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie [2007 Sep;75(9):528-38]

Dental amalgam and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
(PMID:17436982)
Aminzadeh KK, Etminan M
Journal of public health dentistry [2007 Winter;67(1):64-6]

Lead and mercury exposures: interpretation and action.
(PMID:17200393)
Brodkin E, Copes R, Mattman A, Kennedy J, Kling R, Yassi A
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne [2007 Jan 2;176(1):59-63]

[Voluntary mercury poisoning: biological consequences and psychiatric significance].
(PMID:9289793)
Jornod P, Vannotti M, Dascal DR, Auer C, Berode M, Savolainen H, Buclin T, Nicod P, Waeber G
Praxis [1997 May 28;86(22):946-51]

Genetic Aspects of Susceptibility to Mercury Toxicity: An Overview.
(PMID:28106810)
Andreoli V, Sprovieri F
International journal of environmental research and public health [2017 Jan 18;14(1)]

Health Complaints Attributed to Dental Amalgam: A Retrospective Survey Exploring Perceived Health Changes Related to Amalgam Removal.
(PMID:28217190)
Kristoffersen AE, Alræk T, Stub T, Hamre HJ, Björkman L, Musial F.
Open Dent J [2016]

Subchronic exposure to leachate activates key markers linked with neurological disorder in Wistar male rat.
(PMID:26362636)
Akintunde JK, Oboh G.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int [2015]

Environmental pollutants as risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.
(PMID:25914621)
Chin-Chan M, Navarro-Yepes J, Quintanilla-Vega B.
Front Cell Neurosci [2015]

Mercury Reduces the Enzymatic Activity of Neprilysin in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells.
(PMID:25673500)
Chin-Chan M, Segovia J, Quintanar L, Arcos-López T, Hersh LB, Chow KM, Rodgers DW, Quintanilla-Vega B.
Toxicol Sci [2015]

Allergological and toxicological aspects in a multiple chemical sensitivity cohort.
(PMID:24367721)
Pigatto PD, Minoia C, Ronchi A, Brambilla L, Ferrucci SM, Spadari F, Passoni M, Somalvico F, Bombeccari GP, Guzzi G.
Oxid Med Cell Longev [2013]

Clinical detoxification: elimination of persistent toxicants from the human body.
(PMID:23844383)
Genuis SJ, Sears ME, Schwalfenberg G, Hope J, Bernhoft R.
ScientificWorldJournal [2013]

Improved chronic fatigue symptoms after removal of mercury in patient with increased mercury concentration in hair toxic mineral assay: a case.
(PMID:23115707)
Shin SR, Han AL.
Korean J Fam Med [2012]

Is dental amalgam safe for humans? The opinion of the scientific committee of the European Commission.
(PMID:21232090)
Mutter J.
J Occup Med Toxicol [2011]

Relationship between mercury levels in blood and urine and complaints of chronic mercury toxicity from amalgam restorations.
(PMID:20186178)
Eyeson J, House I, Yang YH, Warnakulasuriya KA.
Br Dent J [2010]

Toxic causes of mental illness are overlooked.
(PMID:18621076)
Genuis SJ.
Neurotoxicology [2008]

Comments on the article “the toxicology of mercury and its chemical compounds” by Clarkson and Magos (2006).
(PMID:17661216)
Mutter J, Naumann J, Guethlin C.
Crit Rev Toxicol [2007]