A 43-year-old member asked:
What's involved in having mercury amalgam fillings removed ?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Kattuahanswered
Dentistry 25 years experience
Drilling them out: Removal of amalgam fillings increases your exposure to mercury vapor because they are drilled out. If you would like to reduce your exposure then ask the dentist to remove them while you are wearing a dental dam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tom Semansanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
Drilling it out: The removal of amalgam fillings involves the removal of the filling which will involve removing a very minimal amount of tooth structure. Amalgam fillings can be replaced with a composite resin filling material as long as the filling is not too large. If it a large amalgam filling, it is possible that you may need to have an inlay, only or crown placed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Robert Fonganswered
Dentistry 38 years experience
It's the same: My other colleagues have given very good answers to your question. I just wanted to let you know that what you experience during the process is not much different than getting any filling.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. James Wrightanswered
Dentistry 35 years experience
Your Choice: Different methods available. You can choose an accredited dentist, member of the iabdm or iaomt. Take a look at their web sites- www.Iabdm.Org, www.Iaomt.Org - to find dentists, with additional training in safe removal of mercury, amalgam fillings by iaomt and iabdm . Accredited members of these international academies, follow their protocols. See consumers for dental choice- www.Toxicteeth.Org.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gregory LaMorte commented
Periodontics 44 years experience
I looked at the IAOMT site. I saw no peer reviewed articles. How come?
Jun 22, 2013

Dr. James Wright commented
Dentistry 35 years experience
Provided original answer
Great question. Call Kim @ IAOMT.
Jun 22, 2013
Similar questions
A 30-year-old member asked:
How do you get an amalgam filling removed?
5 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. Stanley Linanswered
Dentistry 19 years experience
See your dentist: Your dentist can help you get your amalgam filling removed. Usually you will need to have your tooth anesthetized and then the amalgam filling can be drilled out and replaced with a composite filling or crown.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Is there any reason to have silver mercury / amalgam fillings removed?
5 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. Thomas Davisanswered
Dentistry 38 years experience
Silver Fillings: The silver filling should be removed if it is leaking, cracked , or the margins are opened. All of these breed decay and destruction to the tooth. If none of these exist it is best to leave it alone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed Sep 03, 2021
A 35-year-old member asked:
When should I remove mercury amalgam fillings?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Merrettanswered
Dentistry 31 years experience
Remove mercury fill: You should removed the mercury amalgam filings when they are starting breakdown. If they have recurrent decay underneath them, or if you have a sensitivity to metals. I would suggest replacing them with something other than amalgam, but that is my personal opinion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
What are the dangers of having mercury amalgam fillings?
9 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jonathan Engelanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Depends: It all depends on where you want to go with this. If you want to say there are dangers you can find lots of studies on line to verify it. The danger of mercury is well documented, whether or not it can leach from a filling and cause an issue is where the controversy is. My personal take is that if 1% of what they say is true then they are bad. I feel we have better alternatives in dentistry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What to expect when getting mercury amalgam fillings removed and replaced?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sharon Perelmananswered
31 years experience
Filling: When you have a amalgam ( silver ) filling removed your dentist will give you local anesthetic (novocaine). Once you are numb they will remove the filling, and any decay that is in the tooth. Depending on how much of the tooth structure remains they may place a tooth colored filling or a porcelain crown.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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