A Mercury-Safe Dentist is a dentist who not only does not place mercury fillings (Mercury-Free), but is also trained to remove them using precautions to make the procedure as safe as possible for the patient as well as the dental staff. As a SMART-certified dentist accredited with the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), Dr. Ulm follows a strict amalgam-removal safety protocol:
- Cutting the filling into pieces as large as possible to reduce particulate matter
- Using copious amounts of water to keep the filling as cool as possible during cutting, reducing the amount of mercury vapor released due to heat caused by friction
- High-volume and high-powered suction to remove as much vapor and particulate matter as possible right at the source
- A nitrile dam in the mouth to remove the possibility of vapor and particles entering the throat. While latex allows mercury vapor to pass through, nitrile effectively blocks it.
- Supplemental oxygen for the patient, so the only air you are getting is medical-grade oxygen, not the air in the room.
- An external aerosol vacuum with 5-stage filter to direct aerosol created during drilling away from the patient and surfaces.
- An ionizer to capture mercury particles from the air that escape the vacuums.
- Plastic drapes over the patient to prevent particulates from dropping onto clothing.
- Full PPE for doctor and dental assistant, including respirators and gowns.
The Facts about Mercury & Dental Amalgam
Mercury is not only a dangerous environmental contaminant, but a known toxin, second only to plutonium in toxicity to humans. Although claims have been made for over 100 years about the safety of mercury in dental amalgams, the science shows that mercury is not, in fact, “bound up” in amalgam, and mercury vapor can escape from fillings in amounts greater than the thresholds established by the EPA and OSHA.
- Dental amalgam is comprised of ~50%-55% mercury, ~35% silver, ~9% tin, ~6% copper, and a trace of zinc For complete information on mercury toxicity, how and why mercury can escape from metal fillings, and where it is known to travel and be stored in the body, please see the IAOMT’s website at www.IAOMT.org. Specifically, The Scientific Case Against Amalgam contains a wealth of information gleaned from numerous scientific studies published in well-respected journals.
If you’re considering removing your amalgam fillings and would like a treatment plan, please call our office at 801-796-6882 to speak to one of our knowledgeable team members and schedule an appointment for a new patient exam today!