Safe Amalgam Removal (Mercury Detox) - Dental Health Message Board

Diggler · 03-29-2005, 02:12 AM

Hi,

I'm thinking about getting my amalgam filling replaced with white composite ones. (I have 2 large and 1 small). I'm looking for some info from anyone who has been through this.

I'm wondering whether it is worth paying the extra money for mercury-free dentist to go through the 'proper' amalgam removal procedure with dental dams and extraction fans, etc.

Or whether I can have it done by my regular dentist and not suffer mercury entering my system to a highly toxic level.

Also, if this is the case, how bad are the mercury toxification symptoms and how long will it take to detox from it and bring my immune system back up to a good level.

Any info from people who have experienced this would be very much appreciated as I am very worried about this.

Many Thanks.

rhody · 03-29-2005, 08:46 PM

Hi,

Yes, I went through that procedure and had eight mercury-silver dental amalgams replaced with white porcelain fillings. That was a little over 10 years ago. I went to a regular dentist, but he was really good. I asked him for a dental dam and I'm pretty sure he used proper ventilation. He now advertises himself as a cosmetic dentist, although.

At the time, I didn't know a whole lot about all of this, but knowing what I know now, I would point people in the direction of getting the best care when it comes to replacing these mercury fillings. If your regular dentist has the expertise to do this, then I think that would be OK. But if you have any doubts about your regular dentist, I think seeing someone who's an expert at this type of dental restoration is important. There's too many stories out there about dentists who do not have enough experience to do a proper job.

I found that getting the best white fillings is important too. I'm happy with my porcelain fillings. They are very durable. There's now some companies that advertise that their porcelain fillings are even stronger now.

Some people may not want to spend the extra money for these top-of-the-line fillings, but considering the cost of dental care to everything else, I think it's definitely worth it.

The lesser type of white fillings are known to need replacement earlier.

rhody · 03-29-2005, 09:08 PM

To answer your question about mercury detox, and how mercury from fillings affects our immune system, is very complicated. This has been a controversy because (as you probably know) various groups say these mercury fillings are safe and others do not.

There's thousand of studies describing all of this in detail. So I don't know if anyone could easily answer that question for you.

But I can tell you what happened to me, if that would help some. All of my fibromyalgia symptoms went away gradually. After having my mercury fillings replaced, I tried various anti-mercury components and got extremely sick. So I stopped any more experimenting after that. I was satisfied on just being patient, with continuing with my healthy diet, herbs, and exercise.

Many many years ago, I couldn't run for more than about a mile a week, without some muscle pain. My doctor told me to not run more than a hundred yards in 1978. I now run nearly 20 miles a week.

Do you have fibromyalgia symptoms or any other health problems? Do you suspect that your mercury fillings are contributing to any possible health problems? Or are you just satisifed on removing mercury from your system and having nice cosmetic teeth (regardless of whether people say the mercury fillings are safe or not)?

NOFXER · 03-29-2005, 09:33 PM

Hello,

I have just finished having my amalgams removed over the last couple months. I had 11 of them which I'd had since I was a kid. I believe I have mercury poisoning as a result of them. There are many symptoms and they are very serious. There are people who scoff, but I must say, that even in the last few weeks since I had the last one removed, I feel a bit better. I no longer feel like my head is in a vice and it's easier to think clearly.

Anyway, I went to a dentist who supposedly specialized in amalgam removal. He didn't have any extra "mercury extraction" devices but at least he took the dangers of mercury seriously, which alot of dentists don't do. He gave me the usual rubber dam and said that I wouldn't re-absorb any vapors. I noticed I felt extra horrible on the days I had them taken out, so I asked for a mask to put over my nose. The dentist and his assistant kind of looked at me like I was crazy and tried to tell me that they didn't have one for me, but I was insistent. So they just folded over one of the fabric masks that they have for themselves and put it over my nose. It seemed to help. I could be wrong, but I didn't feel as bad after.

I also went to a dentist who had a special vapor fan to "suck away" any vapors or aerosols from the mercury as he removed it, but it didn't seem to make a huge difference. I had all my fillings replaced with the white composite ones and one porcelain crown (which was like $1400 in itself, retardedly expensive). There is also something called dental restoration compatibility testing which a naturopath or homeopath can do to see if your body is compatible with the new filling materials. I never had it done but wish I had. I was just so desperate to get the mercury out of my mouth.

I have no idea how long it takes to get it out of your system. I am currently taking an oral chelator called DMSA. It's hard to tell if it is helping to remove the metal from my system or if just having my fillings removed has helped.

If you have the extra money, I would definitely go to a dentist who knows what they are doing. Also, if you get the composite white fillings, I have heard they are difficult to work with, so an experienced dentist would be important. I called a naturopathic doctor's office to get a referral to the "mercury free" dentist (the one with the big fan).

I am just in the beginning stages of detoxing from mercury and have just kind of had to do the trial and error thing to find what works and what doesn't work. if you want more info, just ask. Good luck.

Diggler · 03-30-2005, 04:41 AM

Thanks for the replies rhody and nofxer. Much appreciated.

Rhody, I have no doubts about the abilities of my dentist. He is excellent at his work and I feel he would do a great job at replacing my fillings.

My concern lies as to whether he is 'mercury-aware', which I don't think he is as he put amalgams in me in the first place. I doubt very much if he would take any precautions to guard me from the mercury exposed during removal (or himself for that matter). I do think he would give me a dental dam if I asked though.

One thing that was concerning me was whether he would leave any trace of the amalgam behind in the cavity and just put the white filling over the top of it. I don't want this to happen. I suppose I could ask him to make sure it is all removed.

In response to your questions,

I have no (known) major health problems. I do suffer a white coating on my tongue which I believe could be related to my amalgam fillings though. I am a fairly fit and healthy young (23) man.

My main concerns (and reason for wanting removal) with my amalgams at the moment is future problems they may cause, and just getting rid of a possibly toxic substance from my mouth, sooner rather than later. So, Yes, I am just satisfied with having the amalgam out of my mouth.

I am just worried that the actual removal procedure may cause 'mercury' problems if I don't see a specialist mercury-free dentist. Or is this something I should not worry about at all?

If I went ahead and had the replacements done by my regular dentist with no mercury 'protection' at all, do you think I will suffer from the procedure or not?

Thanks again for helping me out. This is something I can't stop thinking about at the moment so I really really appreciate your help guys.

Is there anything you can help me with about anything in this post?

Thanks.