MERCURY AMALGAM REMOVAL
Amalgam is a common material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. If you’ve had dental work done, there’s a good chance your dentist used amalgam. It’s been used for over 150 years on hundreds of millions of dental patients around the world. While it’s incredibly common, some people are now opting to have it removed from their mouths.
Concerns over the mercury content in amalgam have caused a spirited debate.
Wherever your thoughts lie, you’ll want to do your own research and speak with your healthcare provider before taking action.
WHAT ELEMENTS ARE IN AMALGAM?
Dental amalgam is sometimes called “silver amalgam” because of its color. It does have actual silver in it, along with a combination of other metals. The list of elements in amalgam includes:
Mercury – Silver – Tin – Copper
WHY IS MERCURY USED IN AMALGAM FILLINGS?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: mercury. We learn as early as grade school that mercury is a toxic material. So why are dentists pouring it in our mouths? The answer is complicated. Elemental mercury is what gives amalgam filling materials the qualities that make it useful for dental work. The mercury makes amalgam pliable enough to work with. Mercury is what makes the amalgam harden.
And mercury is what makes the filling durable enough to withstand the forces of biting and chewing.
ARE AMALGAM FILLINGS HARMFUL?
The safety of dental amalgam is a controversial topic. The American Dental Association (ADA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have all conducted research and concluded that amalgam fillings are generally safe.The ADA calls amalgam material “a durable, safe and effective cavity-filling option.”
As with most toxins, the level of safety depends on the level of exposure. Very low levels of mercury exposure may not cause adverse health effects. But many studies have shown that high levels of mercury exposure can cause mercury poisoning. The symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Issues with memory
- Headaches
- Fatigue10
The controversy over amalgam fillings centers on how much mercury is released and how much the body is able to absorb.
LEVELS OF MERCURY RELEASED BY
AMALGAM FILLINGS
For decades, the elemental mercury in amalgam fillings was thought to be inert. Scientists knew that some mercury exposure occurred when a tooth was filled. But they thought the exposure stopped there.
In recent years, more sophisticated tests have changed this view. New research shows amalgams continuously release mercury vapor as they wear down. When someone with amalgam fillings chews, drinks, or grinds their teeth, a small amount of mercury vapor is released. This vapor is released into the mouth, inhaled, and absorbed by the body.
BUT JUST HOW MUCH MERCURY IS
RELEASED ANDIS IT SAFE?
Research on this issue is complex. One study in Portugal found that children who received amalgam fillings had “slightly higher” levels of mercury in their urine. However, the numbers researchers found fell within the “background level” (0-4 micrograms per liter) that is safe and typical for an average person.
Another study found that people with amalgam fillings had 2-12 times more mercury in their tissues than those without the fillings.
LEVELS OF MERCURY ABSORBED
Mercury is found in the air, water, and soil. People are exposed to this toxic metal nearly every day. Some scientists once believed that the increase in exposure caused by amalgams was slight, so it wouldn’t cause any significant long-term health effects. It was just a drop in the bucket, so to speak.
However, organic mercury the kind you get from eating fish is different than elemental mercury the kind found in amalgam fillings.
WHY DO PEOPLE REMOVE DENTAL
AMALGAM FILLINGS?
1.Fillings Are Defective or Show Decay
Amalgam fillings last 10-15 years. Eventually, all fillings need to be replaced.19 Eating, drinking, clenching, and grinding all wear down your fillings. If fillings crack or start to wear away, they can create an entry point for food particles or bacteria. This can cause decay along the filling or underneath it.
- If left untreated, a cracked or worn filling can lead to:
Tooth pain - A visible crack in a tooth
- The need for a root canal
- A lost tooth
If you suspect you have a cracked or worn filling, it is smart to see a dentist immediately.
2.They Have A Mercury Sensitivity
Some people experience adverse effects soon after their dentist installs amalgam fillings. These people may be hypersensitive to low levels of elemental mercury exposure.
Some of the symptoms of allergic reactions include:
- Oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs), which are mouth sores caused by allergic reactions
- Tremors
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Changes in nerve responses
- Emotional changes
- Decreased cognitive function
If these symptoms do not resolve themselves, amalgam filling removal is an option. Studies have shown that removing amalgams can help resolve symptoms of oral lichenoid reactions.
3.They Have Sensitivity or Allergy To Other Metals, Like Silver, Tin, or Copper
Some people opt to remove their silver fillings because of a
sensitivity to the other metals in the filling material. Symptoms include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Skin rashes
- Concerns About Mercury in the Blood
Some people choose to have their amalgam fillings removed due to concerns
about mercury levels in the blood.
The population of patients that cause the greatest concern is pregnant women and children under the age of six, where toxic threshold levels may be lower than in adults. If you are anxious about amalgam materials and their effect on your health, speak with your doctor. You’ll want to receive guidance specific to your situation.
