What dental patients in Centerville, OH, need to know about safe mercury filling removal

If you have one or more filled cavities, chances are you have mercury in your mouth. For many years, dentists used silver colored metal fillings because they were thought to be effective and durable. However, traditional fillings can contain up to 50 percent mercury. In recent years, there has been increasing concern of a potential link to various brain, kidney, and immune deficiency diseases. It has many patients in Centerville, OH, asking their dentists about safe mercury filling removal.

Risks of mercury fillings and alternatives

Mercury has been linked to many medical problems. Additionally, risk increases when the metal is heated, which occurs when a patient brushes his teeth, eats, grinds, or has his teeth cleaned. The alternative to mercury fillings is a composite resin dental material. These fillings durable and safe. They are also tooth colored, which makes them cosmetically appealing.

Removing mercury fillings

Dr. Daniel Cobb of Alex Bell Dental is committed to only using safe materials in his practice. Additionally, he is trained in strict protocols, for those patients who wish to have their mercury fillings removed. This practice protects the patient, the dentist and his team, and the environment by:

• Using a vacuum to remove vapors and mercury particles from the air.
• Using a rubber dam inside the patient’s mouth to prevent inhalation of mercury toxins.
• Use of masks for the dentist and his team.
• A special disposal process to ensure mercury is not released into public wastewater.

Patients can opt for the removal procedure to limit toxicity risk or to simply replace dark fillings with new white ones. However, most dentists do not recommend removing mercury fillings unless they are cracked or chipped, causing the patient pain, or linked to health concerns.

For more information about mercury and safe mercury removal, call Alex Bell Dental today at (937) 435 7311.