Smart Mercury Removal

For more than 150 years, dentists have used dental amalgam to fill spaces left behind by tooth decay. This material has a silver appearance, and it’s composed largely of mercury, which is a heavy metal. Often, patients who have received dental amalgam in prior dental procedures request that it be removed. However, this is a somewhat complicated process that requires the services of a dentist who is specially trained in the procedure. Frederick Dreher, DDS is your dentist in Ballston Spa, NY, who can remove dental amalgam through a process called SMART Mercury Removal.

Why Remove Your Dental Amalgam Fillings?

While newer dental materials are tooth-colored to give them a more natural appearance, dental amalgam is shiny silver. It’s easy to spot when you laugh or smile and some patients feel it’s unsightly. There is also some debate regarding the safety of dental amalgam. Although the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says it’s not necessary to remove old fillings made from dental amalgam, some patients aren’t comfortable knowing the heavy metal is there. For these patients, SMART Mercury Removal is the solution.

How Does SMART Mercury Removal Work?

SMART is an acronym for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. Dentists who perform this procedure are specially trained and use special equipment during the procedure that ensures the safety of the patient and any dental staff present. Usually, this includes oxygen, protective gear for both patient and clinicians, proper room ventilation and filtration, and proper disposal of the material once it has been removed.

If you’re interested in SMART Mercury Removal in Ballston Spa, NY, call Frederick Dreher, DDS, today. We’ll be happy to sit down with you to discuss any questions you may have regarding dental amalgam, and we’ll help you find safe solutions for its removal and replacement with more modern materials.

Sources

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.fda.gov

www.iaomt.org