Mercury filling removal and mercury poisoning, what can I do?

Question

I just had my mercury fillings removed, and a lot of the procedures weren't followed I think should have been. It seems that they should have prevented breathing through my mouth, for one.

I would like to hear anyone else's experience with this type of thing. Most importantly, any successful detoxification techniques, anything that would help get mercury out of my system.

I found a few other questions/answers about this, it does seem there's no evidence for itt causing harm. But it is a neurotoxin, and a soft metal, and in the brain those things cause trouble. I work in a technical field and am mainly concerned about my concentration/attention span. I do like to eat fish also, so even if there wasn't the question of fillings, I am concerned about anything interrupting my neural pathways, and I'd like to know if anyone has done any detox steps they have found.

Answer 1

Everyone above is correct.
The amalgam metal is technically called an intermetallic compound, and is extremely hard, not soft. Amalgams will always outlast composite (white) fillings.
An amalgam alloy is an INORGANIC compound (no carbon), and as such is readily excreted by your body. It doesn't accumulate. The potentially nasty stuff are ORGANIC compounds, like methyl mercury, as commonly found in fish. But even big fish-eating populations (like Japan) don't have cases of mercury poisoning, so don't worry about it. Fish have many beneficial factors that outweigh the miniscule risk of mercury.
The supposed concerns of mercury being released during amalgam removal doesn't apply in modern dentistry with water-cooled drills and high-volume evacuations.
***AVOID so-called detoxification or chelation treatments. These do not achieve anything and are potentially dangerous. Totally unscientific.
Remember, nearly anything is a poison - it's just a matter of the dose.

Answer 2

The quantity of mercury in a filling is minute, and it is bound up in a form that does not emit toxic vapors. Liquid mercury, like that in old fashioned thermometers, is highly toxic and burning it can release toxic mercury vapors.
There is no scientific evidence that supports mercury poisoning from routine fillings. They do not put any mercury in your system, therefore there is nothing to remove. You get far more mercury from a can of tuna or swordfish.
P.S. It would have been impossible for your dentist to prevent you from breathing during a dental procedure.

Answer 3

First of all, the term "mercury filling" is a major misnomer. It implies that the filling is made up of entirely mercury. Dental amalgam contains 5-20% mercury.

The only reports of dental amalgam being toxic to the patients are from less than reputable (and very biased) sources. When the dentist drills out the old amalgam, he uses high-speed evacuation (vacuum suction) to capture a majority of the filling particles. Whatever particles remain are rinsed and spat out. I doubt you digested or inhaled a traceable amout of mercury.

Another precaution available is the use of the dental rubber dam to keep the mouth covered. This would keep you from breathing particles through your mouth. If you are truly worried about mercury ingestion, I would suggest you ask your dentist to use a rubber dam.

Answer 4

Too bad you don't have a time machine.

My father was a dentist. He had some silver amalgam fillings placed in his teeth when he was a boy - back in the 1920's. When he went to school - in the 1930's - dentists mixed silver and mercury in the palm of their hand! He worked with silver amalgam fillings for his entire career. In about 1985, after 45 years in private practice, he decided to get tested for mercury. I do not know what units the lab was using, but his report came back reading:

"Less than 0.001 xxx units."

Metals do not leave your body readily, so one would think he would have had SOME measurable mercury. You should not have worried about mercury poisoning from your fillings.

Check out http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp#amalgam for a discussion on amalgam fillings.

Answer 5

"P.S. It would have been impossible for your dentist to prevent you from breathing during a dental procedure."

Well, not impossible, but highly illegal.

If toxic vapors were released from drilling into metal fillings, very few dentists would be alive past the age of 35.

Answer 6

I agree with phantomli...'s answer completely. I would add that just in case you might have gotten mercury poisoning in some other way, your medical doctor can order a urine test for Mercury and other heavy metals.

Answer 7

Stop worring so much. I breath that stuff everyday and have NEVER had any problems.