A Beautiful Smile Can Also Be a Healthy Smile

Dental amalgam fillings are often referred to as “silver fillings.” They have been used in dentistry for many decades and are still being used today. Amalgam is valued for its strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Did you know, however, that amalgam fillings contain over 50% mercury? Mercury has been extensively studied in medical and environmental science, and its presence in dental materials has led some patients to seek additional information when making dental care decisions. Mercury-free dentistry provides patients with this education and options so they can make informed, individualized choices, especially those who are health-conscious, medically sensitive, or have autoimmune issues.

Patients choosing mercury-free dentistry is part of a broader commitment to personalized, preventive, and whole-body healthcare.

The FDA has advised that certain populations may wish to limit mercury exposure when possible, including women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, as well as young children. This guidance supports the importance of individualized dental decision-making based on health history, personal preferences, and risk tolerance.

When a dental office describes itself as mercury-free, this typically means that silver amalgam fillings are not placed. However, patients may not realize that removing existing silver amalgam fillings is also an important consideration and may expose the patient to mercury.

Silver amalgam dental fillings are removed every day for a variety of reasons, including cavities, aging restorations, cracks, cosmetic concerns, or patient preference. When silver amalgam fillings are removed using specialized safety protocols, mercury exposure is minimized for both patients and dental staff. For this reason, the method used to remove silver amalgam fillings is an important part of mercury-free dental care.

At the Center for Healthy Dentistry, we use SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) protocols that are designed and proven to reduce mercury exposure during silver amalgam removal and may include protective barriers, high-volume suction, air filtration, and sectioned removal techniques.

Our office has been mercury-free since opening in 2002, and we focus on careful, safety-oriented amalgam removal techniques for patients who choose this option. I have been trained by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and am certified in the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART).

Teeth and gums are viewed as an integrated part of the body, to address dental concerns, emphasizing a beautiful smile and the connection between your oral and overall health.