Los Angeles Dentist About Safe Mercury Removal by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Steven Greenman

Safe Mercury Removal

Because our Los Angeles dentist has been practicing for nearly 30 decades, Dr. Greenman has seen various advances in restorative and cosmetic dentistry come and go. As a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, he has also seen the shift to healthier materials and techniques preferred by most patients. Here is what Dr. Steven Greenman has to say on the subject of mercury fillings...

"Amalgam fillings are a common practice in the field of dentistry. After many years of asking whether or not it may emit mercury, we now know that yes, amalgam does in fact emit mercury. Stories of patients getting sick and having adverse reactions frightens many away from having mercury fillings removed.

"Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Mercury-free dentists around the world have been very aware of the mercury problem and have come up with several techniques and strategies to reduce, even eliminate, mercury exposure to both patients and staff during the process of amalgam filling removal. All the techniques used by these dentists have been tested with the Jerome mercury vapor detector by the IAOMT, the Oral Academy of Medicine and Toxicology, and proven to reduce mercury vapor in the air.

"One very important technique mercury-free dentists use to keep their patients and themselves safe is suction. The best tool to keep mercury vapor out of the air is suction. It dramatically reduces the spatter of particles into the air and patient’s mouth while grinding down the amalgam filling.

"Another crucial technique is the use of rubber dams during the procedure. A dam will catch the large debris that may spray while grinding down a filling. Yet, even with a rubber dam, mercury vapor can get through, so the continued use of suction behind the rubber dam, evacuating the air, is very important. The dentist will rinse the dam well throughout the procedure to ensure that no mercury residue is building up, and as soon as the amalgams are out, the dentist will rinse the patients mouth extremely well, for about sixty seconds, before putting in restorations. This will ensure that no mercury vapor is trapped under the new filling or any will be swallowed. Providing the patient with piped in air, so that they do not have to directly breathe the air over their mouth, will greatly reduce the amount of mercury vapor inhaled by the patient. An air tight respiration device, like a nitrous oxide nose hood, is the best way to provide clean air.

"Keeping the air clean in the operatory will reduce mercury vapor and amalgam particles as well. There are several effective techniques to do this. First, the use of room air purifiers, filtration, can effectively remove mercury vapor from the air in the operatory. These devices use “ultrafiltration” and negative ion generators, as well as basic vacuum force, to remove and clean the air from the room. Second, supplemental evacution, simply moving the air away from the operative field can be effective in eliminating mercury exposure. There are many ways of achieving this, such as holding a vacuum hose under the chin of the patient during the grinding of the amalgam."

Dr. Greenman is an IAOMT member and has twenty five years experience in safe mercury removal and the placement of white mercury-free fillings. The safety of patients and staff are a priority at Steven Greenman DDS. Contact this experienced Los Angeles dentist to learn more about this option, or other cosmetic dentistry solutions that can help restore your smile, and your health.

Contact Dr. Greenman to request more information now!