I asked my dentist for amalgam filling removal, but her answer was sketchy. After losing 75 pounds from exercising and eating clean, I want to keep my lifestyle. I have some unhealthy silver fillings in my mouth and want them replaced. We live in a small community, and I have only found one holistic dentist about 60 miles away who does not use amalgam. I asked my dentist (one of three dentists in town) about removing the silver fillings, and she didn’t do anything special to prevent me from breathing in the amalgam. Would asking my dentist to learn about sanitary amalgam removal be insulting? Thanks. Esther
Esther,
Congratulations on your weight loss and healthier lifestyle! We understand your concerns because your oral health and system health are related.
What If You Asked Your Dentist to Learn Sanitary Amalgam Removal?
Your dentist’s response to your request to learn sanitary amalgam removal depends on several factors, including:
- Your relationship with your dentist
- Your dentist’s opinion of sanitary amalgam removal
- Whether your dentist already has training
- Whether your dentist has other patients who share your concerns
Remember that practicing sanitary removal may require your dentist to spend money on additional training, tools, and dental equipment. Although your dentist might be willing to learn the technique, budget constraints may delay your request. Also, your dentist must weigh whether the expenditures are worth compared to how many patients want their silver fillings replaced with composite.
What If Your Dentist Does Not Practice Sanitary Amalgam Removal?
Many dentists do not practice sanitary amalgam removal. After all, the American Dental Association says that amalgam fillings are safe, effective, and durable. Still, many patients want their old amalgam fillings replaced with composite fillings. If your dentist does not practice sanitary amalgam removal, but you want it, you can consider the following:
- List the reasons you want sanitary amalgam removal.
- It may be wise to find a dentist who has already implemented the protocol required.
- If you must travel to get your desired care, completing your request usually takes a few visits.
Your new holistic dentist may want to complete an exam, x-ray your teeth, and schedule amalgam removal and replacement with composite for another visit. If you have yet to find a dentist to replace your fillings with composite, you search for a dentist online and check their patient reviews. Call the office if you have questions about the dentist’s process, which may be similar to the steps in the 2012 Journal of Environmental and Public Health article, A Safe Protocol for Sanitary Amalgam Removal.
Best wishes on your health goals, Esther.
Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Thomas provides patients with some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.