Have You Ever Understood What Are Those Silver-Colored Fillings?
Those metallic restorations in your teeth are actually dental amalgam fillings. While they appear silver, they contain a mixture of elements including silver, tin, copper, and a significant portion of liquid mercury that binds everything together.
A Bit of History
These fillings gained popularity in dentistry primarily for practical reasons. They have been widely used for generations because:
- They are economical compared to alternatives
- They are relatively simple for dentists to work with
- The mercury component allows the mixture to be malleable at room temperature
- They harden reliably once placed
Nearly all traditional metal dental fillings contain mercury as a key ingredient, regardless of what they might be called by patients or dental professionals. The mercury content is what gives these fillings the distinctive properties that made them a standard restoration method for so many years.
Why We Have Moved Beyond Mercury Fillings
Our Position on Mercury in Dentistry
We believe mercury has no place in modern dental care. Mercury ranks as the second most toxic metal after arsenic, and evidence suggests there is no truly "safe" exposure level for the human body.
Risks Extend Beyond Patients
When you have mercury fillings, regular activities like chewing, brushing, or grinding your teeth can release harmful mercury vapor. However, the danger isn't limited to patients - dental professionals who regularly work with amalgam fillings have shown higher rates of neurological symptoms compared to the general population.
Embracing Better Alternatives
As more patients have questioned mercury's safety, our industry has developed superior mercury-free materials. We have taken this commitment further by implementing comprehensive safety protocols for removing existing mercury fillings — protecting both you and our dental team from unnecessary exposure during the process.
What is SMART?
SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. It is a set of safety steps that protect both you and dental staff when removing mercury fillings. This method was created based on research by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and is now considered the safest way to remove mercury fillings.
How We Keep You Safe at Sleep Dentistry Carindale
When removing mercury fillings, we take these important safety steps:
- We cover your clothes and hair to keep them clean
- A rubber shield is placed around the tooth to prevent swallowing mercury
- You will receive a special nose piece through which you will breathe clean air
- We use lots of water and suction to catch mercury waste
- We cut the filling into pieces instead of grinding it (creates less vapor)
- Extra-strong suction with special filters is used
- You will be provided with charcoal rinses before and after to help remove metals
- You will be given special masks that filter mercury vapor
- We keep the air clean with high-quality air filters in all rooms
These steps help protect everyone from breathing or touching mercury during the removal process, making the procedure as safe as possible.
Have Questions?
Any questions about amalgam filling removal that are still bothering you? You can get in touch with our dental experts at Sleep Dentistry, Carindale.