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
Dr. Jeffrey Jarvisanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
Drilling: The dentist will remove your amalgam filling with a drill, just like it was done originally. With local anesthetic, this is very comfortable.....Just a little noisy. Don't worry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Easily: In the same manner that the filling was originally placed, it can be easily and gently removed by drilling it out. Some patient take "sweet air" others local anesthetic and some don't even require anything for this procedure. If it needs to be removed consider using a tooth colored bonded filling to replace it. They are almost invisible and require less drilling.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Stephen Gordonanswered
45 years experience
Mercury safe : 1) anesthetize
2) latex free dam & goggles
3) high quality strong dental suction-dental assistant in control
4) oxygen for patient to breathe
5) dentist electric drill - high torque & slower speed. Plenty of water spray to reduce heat build which causes mercury vapor release
6) chunk out filling -do not just drill it out
7) office amalgam separator
8) once removed, remove dam, thorough rinse.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Don Millneranswered
Dentistry - Cosmetic 45 years experience
Removal by burr cut.: Amalgams are removed using a high speed dental drill with a carbide or diamond bur which is "washed" by air/water spray to keep the tooth from overheating and being traumatized and the mercury from volatilizing from its binding silver. The procedure id performed in the active presence of a high velocity air/suction evacuation system.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
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
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 >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Can you have amalgams (mercury fillings) removed without having a drilling?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Stephen Gordonanswered
45 years experience
Probably not: Often the dentist can place a few grooves within the amalgam and "chip" it out with hand instruments (not drill) and take it out in fragments or pieces.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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