Despite their name, “silver” fillings only contain a bit of silver. They also contain copper and tin – and sometimes small amounts of zinc, indium, and palladium, too.
But their dominant component is mercury – a potent neurotoxin.
Mercury’s toxicity is why we don’t place “silver” mercury amalgam fillings in our practice. All of our restorations are made from biocompatible composite or ceramic. These materials are extremely strong and durable, not to mention more aesthetic.
Literally, no body needs amalgam, but some populations have an even greater need to avoid it – women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing, for example. Their exposure puts their babies at risk, too. Children are especially vulnerable to mercury’s toxic effects because they’re so much smaller and their brains are at such an early stage of development.
Just how much exposure pregnant women may be exposed to was highlighted in a study published earlier this year in the journal Human & Experimental Toxicology.
To estimate exposure, the researchers analyzed data from a national survey of over 1.6 million pregnant women in the US between 2015 and 2020. A little over a third of those women had at least one amalgam filling – and much higher levels of mercury in their urine than those whose mouths were mercury-free. The more fillings, the higher her mercury levels.
But wait! There’s more.
The researchers also found that roughly 28% of all pregnant women were exposed to mercury vapor above the least strict safety limit set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Thirty-six percent exceeded the strictest limit set by California’s EPA.
At this point, you may be thinking, “Wow, I need to get rid of these fillings immediately.” That’s actually not a great idea, especially if you’re already pregnant or nursing. Even when strict safety protocols are followed, there’s too much risk of exposing the child to this toxic heavy metal. The time for removal is either before you start actively trying to get pregnant or after you stop nursing. We can then safely remove your mercury fillings with no risk to your child and, importantly, minimal risk to you courtesy of the SMART protocol we follow religiously here in our office.
“SMART” stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. It’s a science-based protocol that was developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology to protect the health of not only patients and dental workers, but also our environment.
Here’s what SMART entails:
- Amalgam separators are properly installed and maintained to collect mercury waste, keeping it from being released into the environment via wastewater.
- High-volume air filters and aerosol vacuums are used in each room to remove mercury vapor and particulate that’s generated during the procedure.
- Unless the patient declines or there are contraindications, the patient is given a slurry of charcoal, chlorella, or a similar adsorbent to rinse with and swallow before the procedure.
- The patient is fully covered in protective gowns and drapes, including covering for the neck and head.
- The dentist and team members likewise wear protective gowns, along with non-latex, nitrile gloves, face shields, and head coverings. They also wear properly sealed respiratory grade masks rated to capture mercury or properly sealed positive pressure masks providing air/oxygen.
- To prevent nasal inhalation of mercury, the patient wears a nasal mask or cannula through which oxygen is delivered.
- A non-latex, nitrile dental dam is placed and properly sealed in the patient’s mouth. A saliva ejector is placed under the dam to further reduce mercury exposure.
- An oral aerosol vacuum is placed close to the patient during the amalgam removal to capture mercury vapor and particulate.
- The amalgam is sectioned into chunks with a small diameter carbide drill and removed in the largest pieces possible.
- Great amounts of water are used to reduce heat. A conventional high-speed evacuation device is used to capture mercury discharges.
- Once removal is complete, the patient rinses their mouth thoroughly, first with water, then with a slurry of charcoal, chlorella, or a similar adsorbent.
Dr. Jana is among a relatively few dentists practicing in the US who are certified in this procedure and the only one between the Milwaukee and Green Bay areas.
And she’s YOUR dentist.
