A 44-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to remove amalgams (mercury fillings) without drilling?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bruce Apfelbaumanswered
Dentistry 53 years experience
No: No it is not possible. No other way that i know of.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Not typically: Some drilling is required. However sectioning the existing filling and using hand instruments to remove the pieces along with the use of a rubber dam significantly reduces the amount of airborn debris and mercury vapor produced during removal. Advocates of air abrasion and laser technology suggests removal can be accomplished using those modalities in place of drilling but results r inconsistent.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
No: Unfortunately, there is no way to remove any filling, amalgam or otherwise without using a handpiece and drilling it out. However, there is no reason to be concerned about this process. I would guess that you have concerns about mercury? There are many methods to reduce vaporization and ingestion during this process. Discuss your concerns with your own dentist for a thorough discussion of this.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
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 Apr 4, 2016
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