I want to get rid of my silver fillings. By which I mean I want them out, out, out. But, my dentist doesn’t like the idea. He said I can poison myself more by removing the poison fillings from my mouth. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t agree these fillings are dangerous anyway. He spends most of his time trying to convince me the white fillings are bad for my teeth. I’m not sure I can trust this dentist anymore. Do you have thoughts on this? I want your real opinion. I picked you for two reasons: 1. Your picture shows an honest face. Someone who cares about people more than pride 2. You are in Alabama and I am in Idaho. There isn’t a chance in the world I will drive that far for a dental procedure, so you won’t tell me what I want to hear simply to get a “sale.” I’m pretty sure you’ll just tell me the truth. OK….Go!
Lindsay G. – Lewiston, Idaho
Lindsay,
You’re right that you will get an honest answer. Dr. Bolt, nor anyone in his employ would ever try to “get a sale”. He got into dentistry because he wanted to help people. You can’t do that by manipulating them.
First, there are some ways I agree with your dentist and some I don’t. Amalgam (silver) fillings aren’t poison, in and of themselves. Yes, they are made mostly of mercury. Yes, mercury is a dangerous toxin. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) has done many studies to show them to be perfectly safe.
Now, I am not naive enough to believe study results can’t be skewed. Plus, I am here to serve my patients, and few of them are comfortable with mercury being placed in their body when there is an equally viable (if not better) alternative.
That is where I disagree with your dentist. White (composite) fillings are not bad for your teeth. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When amalgam fillings are placed, they weaken the tooth structure. However, when composite fillings are placed they stregthen the tooth. I suspect your dentist’s hesitation to place them is because he doesn’t have sufficient training to do so.
Until very recently, you didn’t learn how to place composite fillings in dental school. That was something that had to be volutarily trained in as a post-graduate study. It’s quite an advanced technique, so your dentist was probably a little intimidated.
You don’t want to force him into this, because if done improperly can lead to a whole other set of problems.
All that being said, it is possible to safely remove your amalgam fillings. You’ll want to find a mercury free dentist, because they will not only have sufficient training in placing composite (white) fillings, but will also understand the dangers of mercury vapor when removing amalgam (silver) fillings. As a result, they will have a procedure in place for sanitary amalgam removal, such as using rubber dam isolation protocol to protect you from the mercury.
I hope this helps. This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.