Safe Removal of Amalgam Fillings Lloyd Hannis|biological dentist, dentist lima peru, removal amalgam fillings

Amalgam fillings are made of a combination of metals including mercury, silver, tin, copper, and others too. Over time, these metals leak into the natural tooth causing discoloration and, in some cases, even infections and abscess.

Many people now choose to replace their amalgam fillings using ceramic inlays, not only for aesthetics but health reasons too. A person with amalgam fillings releases mercury vapor every time chewing occurs. This enters the body and over the long term can cause more serious health problems.

Looking at an amalgam filling, it may seem very small. However, although it may seem minimal to the naked eye, it can actually be a very deep filling. When these fillings are deep, they can leak metals into the conducts of the tooth. This can cause discomfort, pain, and infection. Often, the tooth requires root canal treatment and in a worse case, extraction.

Remove the Amalgam Filling & Remove the Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal but is categorized as extremely toxic with known health effects from exposure to high amounts including autoimmune, kidney and neurological. Many people have concerns about the mercury contained within amalgam fillings and would prefer to have this removed entirely.

A good dental practitioner will take careful steps to ensure that when a filling is removed there is no danger of mercury exposure for the patient.

If your fillings present decay, are broken, chipped, damaged or you have a toothache, then this is a good indication that the time is right to replace the amalgam filling.

Options for the Removal of Amalgam Fillings

Removing amalgam fillings and replacing them with tooth-colored ceramic inlays is an excellent option. Inlays allow the dentist to restore the contour on the biting surface of the tooth, creating a more stable bite, adding strength because the inlay is bonded to the tooth, and improving the aesthetics, too. In fact, because these restorations are so precise, only a dentist could tell which teeth have inlays.

On the other hand, composite resin is not recommended for the replacement of amalgam fillings. Composite resin is a special type of ‘paste’ which is good for newly formed, very small cavities. This is not a strong material for large extension restorations and it does not create the correct contour or biting surface for replacing amalgam fillings.

The Removal of Amalgam Fillings

The removal and replacement of amalgam fillings should be undertaken with great caution by the treating dentist. It is important to minimize the patient’s exposure to mercury vapors during the removal process.

Fillings are always kept cool during the removal process and a rubber dam is used to keep fragments of the amalgam filling from entering into the patient’s mouth. A high vacuum suction system is used to immediately remove all amalgam particles once they become loose and an alternative source of pure oxygen can also be provided.

We take a quick and easy optical scan of the tooth, design the new piece in 3D and make it in-clinic in just a few minutes.

If you would like more information or have questions about the safe removal of amalgam fillings, please complete our online form or send us a message to (0051) 977 547 437