Amalgam Removal
Cincinnati OH
 When performed incorrectly by a dentist who is not S.M.A.R.T. certified, amalgam mercury removal—also known as safe dental amalgam removal, can be extremely hazardous. The exceptionally high exposure to mercury during the drilling of amalgam fillings without sufficient protection can be dangerous to both patients and dentists.
Our team at Ruther Family Dentistry are efficient and qualified enough to remove amalgam safely without compromising your health.
Are Amalgam Fillings Safe or Risky?
Amalgam fillings are used in millions of teeth. They are still the go-to if a composite filling isn't enough to fill a tooth and a dental crown is too expensive for tooth restoration. Concerns about amalgam arise mainly because mercury is used to soften the metal so that it can be used like metal cement to fill in cavities and cracks in teeth.
The Food and Drug Administration assures that amalgam fillings are safe for children aged six and older; therefore, this treatment continues to be in high demand. However, amalgam is currently only used if all other options for restoring teeth have been exhausted.
The Procedure of Safe Amalgam Removal
Keep the Fillings Chilled
Drilling a composite filling out of a tooth causes no damage to the tooth. However, this is not the case with amalgam fillings. The mercury holding the metal powder together becomes vaporized as it is heated during the drilling process for this sort of filling. You'll be breathing in mercury vapor and amalgam particles as you try to get rid of your fillings. The filling should be chunked or chopped into pieces before being removed with a hand device or suction.
Use More Effective Air Filtration
During the removal of amalgam, a filter will be positioned near your mouth. The apertures of the device are roughly four inches in diameter.
The filter isn't meant to be used as a breathing aid. While the amalgam is being pulled out with pieces of your filling, you will be provided additional air sources to breathe. Dental patients should have access to supplemental oxygen for the duration of having fillings extracted. After replacing amalgam fillings with composite ones, you can safely remove the air compressor.
Eliminate Dangerous Contamination by Properly Disposing of Filler Materials
After the filling is removed, we will promptly dispose of the debris to reduce the patient's exposure to mercury. We will maintain constant suction and a steady stream of air to cool the filling process.
What Should You Expect After the Procedure?
After the procedure, we will either remove the dam and have you spit out any leftover debris or use a vacuum and have you rinse your mouth for at least 15 seconds if the dam wasn't used. The risk of mercury poisoning following surgery will be drastically diminished as a result.
During the last step of the safe amalgam removal treatment, the patient should not swallow anything. To reduce the risk of mercury poisoning after taking precautions like wearing gloves and setting up a rubber dam, we will assist you in doing 15 seconds of continuous vacuuming, rinsing, gargling, and spitting. Once the fillings have been changed, we remove the mask and clean your neck and face as well, as the mercury poisoning could have spread from your mouth.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Safe amalgam removal is a complicated process. Therefore, you need proper guidance before starting out. At Ruther Family Dentistry, our dentist, Dr. Ruther, will guide you in the right direction and carry out the process immaculately.
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