Can you have amalgams (mercury fillings) removed without having a drilling?

Question

What's involved in having mercury amalgam fillings removed ?

Answer 1

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.

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Answer 2

No : Amalgams are placed in a retained undercut prepared opening. They are drilled out to remove.

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Answer 3

NO: The only way to remove an amalgam filling is with a dental handpeice (dental drill). This must be done very carefully to avoid damage to the surrounding tooth structure. While I do not place amalgam restorations in my practice, i advise against removing existing amalgams usless there is new decay or the filling is cracked.

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Answer 4

No: No it is not possible. No other way that i know of.

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Answer 5

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.

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Answer 6

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.

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Answer 7

Not much: Many people have their amalgam (a mixture of silver and other metals and mercury) fillings removed, to be replaced by white, tooth colored composite or procelain dental restorations. There is usually no physiological effect of removing the amalgam fillings. It may be psychologically beneficial however.

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Answer 8

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.

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Answer 9

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.

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Answer 10

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.

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Answer 11

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.

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Answer 12

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.

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Can you have amalgams (mercury fillings) removed without having a drilling?

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