Today our society is learning more than ever before about how substances placed in your body can directly affect your overall health. We feel dental care should be no different. That is why we take a holistic dentist approach to caring for your entire well-being.
Holistic Dentist Concerns
It is quite likely that you have had a sliver amalgam filling placed in your mouth over the years. And silver amalgam fillings contain mercury. The American Dental Association has determined amalgam to be safe, but some people don’t agree.
We have been a totally mercury-free practice since 1991. Every filling we place is not only mercury-free, it is virtually the exact same color as your tooth. Our patients love this added piece of mind just as much as they like the aesthetically-pleasing appearance of composite fillings.
Clifford Testing
Some of our patients have undergone the Cliffords Material Reactivity Testing (CMRT) for safety or sensitivity reasons. Dr. Slovan is familiar with and has worked with these tests. He will make every effort to accommodate the results into your treatment. Ultimately, we strive to make your visit to be as comfortable and safe as possible.
Pictured above is an example of an old and corroded amalgam filling that is at risk for leaking mercury.
Sanitary Amalgam Removal
If it is your desire to have an amalgam filling removed, we can help. There are several precautions we can take with sanitary amalgam removal to make sure you are not exposed to any harmful substances that may contain mercury.
Dr. Slovan and Dr. Sexton have developed a mercury-safe protocol that provides eight layers of protection between you and the mercury in your fillings.
- Pre-rinse – You’ll rinse with a dual-purpose mouth rinse that binds to mercury vapor excreted in your mouth from amalgam fillings prior to the procedure.
- We use rubber dam isolation (to isolate the area of treatment from the oral environment and prevention of contact with mercury particulate), if possible.
- You’ll breathe pure oxygen during the procedure in order to prevent any inhalation of mercury vapor.
- We use high-speed evacuation to remove the mercury particulate and vapor.
- We use a water-cooled, high-speed handpiece for irrigation during removal.
- We section the mercury fillings into pieces as large as possible.
- We use the IQ Air Dental Hg FlexVac, a mobile air-cleaning system with a flexible suction duct. The system is designed to capture drill aerosols, abrasion powder and mercury vapors during dental procedures. The flexible suction duct is typically placed on your chest, from where it directly captures drill aerosols and mercury vapors before they can spread.
- Post-rinse – You’ll rinse with a dual-purpose mouth rinse that binds to mercury vapor excreted in your mouth from amalgam fillings after the procedure.
If you have any questions or other concerns, we would be happy to tell you more about our holistic approach. Give us a call today at 
.
