The Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique is what's meant to be abbreviated as SMART. During the process of removing mercury fillings, this method, which was created by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), keeps all of our patients, as well as our dental team, safe from exposure to mercury vapor. According to the findings of a number of studies, silver (amalgam) fillings can include up to fifty percent mercury, which has the potential to cause a wide range of health problems. Mercury exposure has been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, chronic illnesses, persistent weariness, and prenatal abnormalities. Because of this, many patients who have older metal fillings want to have them removed from their teeth.
READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION? CLICK HERE!
HOW IT IS DONE: THE SMART PROCESS
CONSULTATION
Your current metal fillings will be evaluated by Dr. Cohan during your consultation to determine whether or not you will need to have them replaced. It is possible that your she will advise you to keep them in place if they are in good shape and do not constitute a risk to your health. However, in the majority of instances, it is to one's advantage to have them replaced.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
During the process of removing your filling, both you and your doctor will wear protective coverings and a drape will be placed between the two of you. In the operatory, there will be a high-vacuum filtering system that will be used to remove any mercury vapor that may be formed as a result of the removal of your silver fillings.
PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE
During the whole duration of the process, you will be required to breathe oxygen through a face mask in order to prevent the inhalation of any potentially hazardous fumes. A dental dam will also be placed in your mouth by your doctor in order to isolate the region that is being operated on.
REMOVAL OF METAL FILLINGS
Your dentist will begin the process of removing the metal amalgam fillings using a precise drill, suction, and water as soon as all of the safety precautions have been taken.
ORAL RINSE
Following the extraction of the metal filling, your dentist will provide you with a slurry of activated charcoal and water to rinse your mouth with. Through the process of rinsing your mouth with a slurry, the charcoal will be able to absorb any potential trace amounts of metal that may have made their way into your mouth.
PLACEMENT OF NEW FILLINGS
At long last, the metal filling that was previously in your tooth will be replaced with a long-lasting composite filling instead. Fillings made of composite material not only help to maintain the natural structure of your tooth, but also improve its overall appearance.
THE BENEFITS OF SMART
ENJOY BETTER AESTHETICS
It's possible for metal fillings to make your smile look dingy and unattractive. Even when they are attached to the back teeth, they can be seen when the person laughs, smiles, or speaks. Patients can experience the aesthetic benefits of composite fillings that look more natural than natural tooth enamel when metal fillings are removed and replaced.
STAY AHEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
According to the findings of several studies, mercury exposure has been related in some instances to clinical depression as well as other mental health problems. Eliminating the presence of mercury in your mouth is the best way to avoid these possible effects, despite the fact that they are quite uncommon. Insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and withdrawal from social situations have been reported as symptoms of mercury poisoning brought on by the inhalation or consumption of mercury vapor in some instances.
STAY HEALTHY TO AVOID ONGOING ILLNESSES
Studies have indicated that having mercury in the bloodstream can lead to chronic and long term disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular issues, and renal dysfunction. This is in addition to the unfavorable associations that have been shown between mercury and mental health.
KEEP YOUR TEETH IN GOOD HEALTH.
Traditional metal fillings don't attach to the teeth nearly as well as their modern composite counterparts do. This translates to the removal of less dental enamel being necessary when using composite fillings as opposed to metal fillings. Because of this, many dentists will advise their patients to replace a metal filling that has become damaged with a composite filling in order to save as much of the patient's natural tooth structure as is practicable. In the long run, this helps to keep your teeth in good health and strengthens them.
INTERESTED IN COSMETIC PROCEDURES? CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
DOES REMOVING AMALGAM FILLINGS HURT?
No. During the entire procedure, the region that encompasses the tooth will have a numbing effect. You might feel a little bit of pressure from the drill, but you shouldn't experience any discomfort at all. Sedation is an option that may be made accessible to you in specific circumstances so that you can remain blissfully oblivious and calm while undergoing your SMART operation. Make an appointment with your primary care provider as soon as possible if you are interested in discussing the various methods of sedation at your disposal.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
The length of the process will change depending on the specific requirements of each individual patient. The length of the treatment will be determined, in part, by the size and quantity of the metal fillings that need to be extracted. Having a filling placed in each tooth, on the other hand, often takes about the same length of time as doing this procedure.
IS REMOVING MERCURY FILLINGS COVERED BY INSURANCE?
If it is judged that the removal of your metal fillings is a necessary therapy rather than an elective one, then it is possible that your insurance will cover the cost of the procedure. If your metal fillings are considered to be in good condition and do not pose a threat to your health, you may be responsible for paying some out-of-pocket costs in order to have them removed for the sole purpose of improving your smile's appearance. Get in touch with your insurance provider if you want to have a better understanding of your coverage. In addition, our team is delighted to respond to any questions you might have in order to be certain that you are maximizing the benefits that your dental insurance provides.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY AMALGAM FILLINGS REMOVED?
In the vast majority of instances, metal fillings will need to be extracted. This is typically the result of the filling's advanced age. These days, the vast majority of dentists utilize composite fillings, therefore the fact that you have a metal filling makes it highly likely that it is deteriorating. This can result in more tooth decay, which is why it is essential to have your fillings evaluated to determine whether or not they are performing as expected. It is usually safer to have metal fillings removed proactively in order to decrease the danger of acquiring mercury poisoning (and the adverse effects that come along with it) in the future. This is in addition to any potential tooth decay that may occur.
READY FOR A NEW SMILE? CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY!
GET TO KNOW YOUR BEST DENTIST IN SUMMERLIN
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
