What is mercury-free dentistry, and why are more patients seeking it out?
It's not a secret that we used to use a material called amalgam that required mercury to bind the metals for dental fillings. This was a very common practice about 50 years ago when there were no other options.
Today, there are many different options and we no longer need to use mercury in dentistry. However, some people already have mercury fillings or restorations in their teeth. To remove it, we must do so carefully to avoid contamination.
Why are mercury fillings no longer used or no longer commonly used?
Mercury is an amazing material with properties that bind metal together and change its state from powder to solid. This is a unique property of mercury.
However, it's also detrimental to health, which is why, in the early years, dentists had shorter lifespans due to mixing it by hand. Later, a new system was developed where it's all encapsulated and mixed in a special amalgamator. The material is then used in the tooth and becomes hard over a few minutes, allowing for tooth restoration.
However, this often results in decay underneath, which is why people dislike it. It also affects overall health and can lead to mercury poisoning, so people prefer to avoid using mercury in their mouths.
All silver fillings contain mercury, and should they be replaced?
All silver fillings were mixed with mercury at some point. While there's no active mercury in them per se, only the fillings that are problematic should be replaced.
Are there pros and cons to removing mercury fillings if they are currently not causing any issues?
Yes, there are. The pros are that you can remove potential poison from your body. However, if the filling is dormant and not causing any issues, you might choose to keep it longer.
How does a dentist remove a mercury filling safely?
First, we use a high-speed evacuation system. The tooth is isolated using a special rubber dam. When drilling, the high-speed evacuation system immediately removes the debris. This debris then goes through special filtration before reaching the sewer. It's ironic that it's unsafe to put the remnants into the sewer, yet it was once considered safe to use in the mouth. Needless to say, we don't use that anymore.
How can I find a mercury-free dentist or biological dentist near me?
You can search online and contact dental offices to inquire if they use metal or mercury fillings. At Steinway Family Dental Center, we stopped using fillings with mercury about 20 years ago. Despite this, I still see patients with recent metal fillings. It's less expensive for doctors, and some insurance companies only cover mercury-containing fillings for back teeth, not white fillings.
However, we prioritize patient health and opt for materials that are best for them.
Want to learn more? Call Steinway Family Dental Center at (929) 238-9944 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.