Mercury In Your Silver Fillings
by Carey O’Rielly, DDS

I am often asked by patients whether they should be concerned about the mercury in their silver fillings. Silver or amalgam fillings are nearly 50% mercury and mercury is a very toxic substance. It has been shown that mercury is released from fillings in minute amounts, especially when chewing.

The American Dental Association has stated that there is no research showing causative connection between mercury released from dental fillings and any disease, and that the occurrence of allergy to mercury is extremely rare. This is a fair statement because it is difficult to prove a cause and effect relationship. However, there is research showing an increase in the body's burden of mercury after placement of silver fillings.

So what is a person to do?  If you have questions about your body’s burden of toxic metals, I recommend getting tested by a trained medical practitioner.  This is doubly important for people with sensitivity to metals, sensitivity to mold, and high sugar intake.
It cannot be disputed that mercury is a toxic substance. Doctors consider it and other metals like aluminum, lead, and cadmium to be high on the list of materials to be monitored and targeted in any detoxification program, as they can be harmful to human tissue. I always recommend that a physician be contacted whenever there are concerns about toxic and/or diseased conditions of the body.

From a strictly dental perspective, it is advisable to replace silver fillings that are old because the metal in the amalgam compound can begin to discolor and even cause hairline fractures in the tooth structure. As far as the actual removal of amalgam fillings, I can offer the following guidelines:

1. When the time comes to replace a filling because of new decay or wear, consider other materials available like resin, porcelain and in some situations, gold.
2. When you remove an old amalgam (silver) filling, make sure it is done with a rubber dam. This is a simple technique isolating the tooth being worked on from the rest of your mouth. It will prevent the swallowing of any metal particles.
3. Try to find a holistic or biological dentist who is aware of compatibility testing for dental materials.

At Integrative Dentistry we follow a strict protocol for metal removal, including a rubber dam to isolate the tooth and pure air through a nosepiece along with supplemental filtration and access to fresh air. Our goal is to provide a supportive and non-toxic environment for our patients in their quest to become metal-free. For more information please call the Integrative Dental Practice at (760) 632-1304