Is mercury filling removal safe?
Inhaling mercury vapour released from mercury filling has different adverse health effects, including harming the digestive, nervous and immune system, kidneys and lungs.
During your mercury filling removal, the dentist will use a high-speed suction and, in some cases, rubber dam isolation to reduce inhalation of the mercury vapour while removing the filling. If you want to replace your mercury filling with white ones, your dentist might use tungsten carbide burs to remove larger pieces instead of small pieces and aerosol.
Safety procedure for removing an amalgam filling at Smile Clinic London
To ensure minimal exposure to mercury vapour during amalgam removal, the dentist will:
- Give you slurry charcoal, chlorella or another absorbent to rinse your mouth and swallow before the procedure
- Use a full-body, impermeable barrier, and a full head, neck, face, and arm barrier
- Administer external oxygen or air through a nose mask or nasal cannula covered with an impermeable barrier
- Place and seal a dental dam made with non-latex nitrile material in your mouth
- Keep an oral aerosol vacuum close to your mouth
- Have a large amount of waterto reduce heat and a conventional high-speed evacuation device to capture discharged mercury
- Section the amalgam into bits and remove them as large pieces with a diameter carbide drill
Procedure for replacing mercury fillings with white fillings
After your dentist removes the mercury filling, they will fit porcelain or composite resin, which are stronger and more reliable. Your dentist will help you choose a restoration material that matches your natural teeth shade and is less noticeable.
In most cases, the dentist will choose two or moreshades to build up your dentine and the enamel shade because no tooth has one colour; the area close to the gum is darker, while the area closer to the biting surface is lighter.
Within the past years, the number of people using amalgam filling in the UK has reduced due to the increased awareness of the effects of mercury filling on health. Previously, health experts thought the mercury component of amalgam filling was locked in the silver and tin it contains, but this is not the case.
If you want a safe amalgam filling removal to avoid the risk of inhaling mercury vapour, visit Smile Clinic London or call us on 020 7139 8611 to schedule an appointment.