Mercury, a common element used in dental amalgam fillings, could slowly be contributing to serious health problems within your body. The data obtained through numerous studies about the effect of mercury on the human body is enough to make mercury filling removal sound like a proactive move toward preserving and improving your health.

In this article, we offer a brief look at the history of mercury fillings, the potential health effects, and information about how metal-free dentistry can reduce the potential health effects.

Mercury fillings: A history of controversy and accusations
The debate over the medical consequences of dental amalgam fillings that contain mercury has raged for many decades. The poisonous element has been used in dental amalgams since around 1830, and it has been a controversial practice almost since its inception.

The potential danger in having mercury fillings lies in the times where you are chewing, brushing your teeth, or eating hot or acidic foods. These activities may cause mercury vapor to be emitted, which can enter your lungs. From there, mercury is able to find its way to other parts of the body including the brain, kidneys, retinas, and other vital areas.

Opponents of mercury use in dentistry often accuse the practice of potentially contributing to serious ailments such as:

• Fibromyalgia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Brain and kidney problems
• Multiple sclerosis

While much research has been done on the health effects of amalgam fillings, the findings leave many questions still unanswered. The FDA and ADA published their findings saying that amalgam fillings don’t contain enough mercury to harm patients, yet the FDA upgraded its classification of mercury fillings to a Class II device, or moderate risk. Many other countries have banned the use of mercury by dentists as a precautionary measure.

Why have mercury fillings removed?
The general opinion is that it is a smart preventative measure to have your mercury fillings removed. If you don’t think you have experienced any negative side effects of mercury fillings, having them removed can prevent future complications. And if you have been dealing with chronic ailments that may be partially caused by mercury, having your amalgams removed could potentially bring some measure of relief. Several studies conducted over the years have concluded that many participants experienced relief from symptoms of their chronic illnesses after having their dental amalgams removed.

How to have mercury fillings removed
The technology and processes used to remove mercury fillings have evolved over the years to minimize risk for both the patient and dentist. Mercury filling removal used to often result in mercury particles flying around, which raised the risk of the mercury finding its way into the patient’s lungs. Now, you can have your amalgam fillings removed safely and quickly without worry of any further mercury exposure.

If you are considering having your mercury fillings removed, you should have a chat with Dr. Poss, your Nasvhille cosmetic dentist to learn more. Your dentist can fill you in on the procedure and answer your questions about dental amalgams.

To learn more about mercury filling removal, contact us today and we’ll be happy to discuss the entire process with you.