There are safer ways to remove amalgam. 

It is critical to protect the dental team and the patients.

Become Informed - it may save your life.

Please visit the link to see a short, excellent video about
safer amalgam removal protocols from the IAOMT 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIUrj7s3PA

From the IAOMT Protocols

http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/iaomt.htm

The manner in which dentists operate their equipment dramatically affects the amount of mercury released.

Never drill on mercury high dry. It is hazardous to you, your staff, and your patient.

Levels as high as 4000 mcg/M3 have been measured 18" from the drill when used high dry.

Levels over 1000 mcg/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.

One out of 7 California dental offices tested over the OSHA TWA of 50 mcg/M 3 .

100% of the vacuum cleaner exhaust tested over 100 mcg/M 3 .

 

Basic Protocols exist to make amalgam removal a safer procedure.  Ensure that your dentist will follow these protocols or you may be exposed to dangerously high levels of mercury vapour.

Mercury- What To Do About It?

• Never go into a dental surgery where amalgam is used.
• Never allow any mad hatter to place this poison in your body.
• Have all of your mercury amalgams replaced – safely.
• Detoxify your body.

Treatment Planning

Normally I make a long appointment for the first consultation.  Detailed medical histories should be taken and time should be available for the dentist and patient to get to know each other.  Understanding the direction you need to take is important for both patient and dentist alike.  Each person has different health issues and thus different needs.  At the end of the first appointment you should come out with an itemized quote, a specific treatment plan that you understand and a clear outline of the number of appointments necessary.  You should also have a clear idea about what supplements you may need to take to detoxify your body.  I always recommend that patients come in with a panoramic x-ray of their mouths and / or any x-rays that their previous dentist has taken.  I prefer to minimize radiation exposure but at least one panoramic should suffice to get started. 

One of the considerations is the cost of treatment.  Most often it is less than people think.  There is no harm in going shopping to check the prices.  After all you are the consumer.  I would suggest though that the price is part of the overall picture – not the only consideration. 

There are many ideas about how quickly the amalgam should be removed.  Some have great success doing it all at once.  Other people need to go much slower.  I strongly suggest you listen to your own instincts before the final decision.  There is also no point in embarking on a treatment plan which will send you broke.  You may have to go slower and still be able to afford to eat.  Minimize stress!

Beware of treatment plans which replace amalgam with another metal such as gold alloy.  Unless all the amalgam is removed at once you will end up with a mixture of gold and amalgam in your mouth at the same time which will create a great increase in the amount of mercury coming out of all of the fillings.  There are now very few situations where metal need be used at all.  I have practiced metal-free dentistry for many years now.

I really do not believe that we need to use metal in the mouth except for very particular crown and bridge work situations.  All fillings can be replaced with composite resins.  They are the least toxic of all materials except porcelain.  Yes they do wear down faster but this is usually no big problem as they can be patched up quite successfully.  If a filling is so big that it will break down quickly under load, you may need to cover the tooth with a crown to hold it together.  I usually suggest that the patient wait about 6 – 12 months before doing the crown though.  It is extremely rare that a correctly placed composite resin filling will break down in this time.  When teeth are heavily filled there is a greater chance that the tooth may die.  I would not want to spend lots of money on a crown and then take the tooth out a few months later.  Waiting a year or so will at least give you some indication if the tooth will survive.  I would therefore also beware of treatment plans which include immediate crowns unless of course the procedure involves replacing an old crown.  Of course there are many other considerations when deciding to fill a tooth and with what, so please understand that this is only a rough guide. 

The only circumstance in which I would consider it important to go straight to a new crown is if you remove an old one to get to the amalgam out from under it.  Dentistry chooses to ignore the warnings from the amalgam manufacturers and still teaches that amalgam is the best material to use under a crown.  It is important to ensure that no amalgam should remain in the body and thus old crowns should be removed and the amalgam under them replaced.  Usually the crown is damaged in this process and will need to be replaced.  Most often this can be done with porcelain rather than gold and porcelain.  The new porcelains that are available would challenge the metal crowns in strength and certainly in appearance.  It is imperative to remove amalgam from under crowns, so ensure that this is clearly discussed and quoted.

Appointment Scheduling

To gain maximum benefit, amalgam removal is best completed in a four to six week period. The appointments must be organized in such a way as to avoid the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the previous appointment. The reason is that when amalgam is removed, some mercury will vaporise. Although the protocols are designed to minimise this exposure, the absorbed mercury will still act as an immune challenge. Oddly enough, the immune function is reduced on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after a challenge. It is therefore unwise to repeat the same challenge on these days as it will increase the chance of illness. I.e. if your first appointment is on a Monday you should not repeat a Monday appointment for at least four weeks. Note that this information regarding the 7 day cycle, comes from Dr Hal Huggins. There is no scientific reference for this statement – just years of practical experience.

Sequential Amalgam Removal

All amalgam fillings carry some electrical charge. This is readable in both micro-volts and micro-amps. It is of great importance that the amalgam be removed in the correct sequence, determined by the electrical current passing through the fillings. Those amalgams with the highest negative current must be removed first, followed in sequence to removing the fillings with the lowest positive current last. The charges are recorded at each appointment. For people in reasonably good health it is acceptable to remove the fillings from a whole quadrant with the highest negative current. For those who are severely ill it is important to remove the fillings one at a time in strict electrical sequence. Again, Note that this information comes from Dr Hal Huggins. There is no scientific reference for this statement although it is based on clinical observation of thousands of patients.

Removing all amalgam

ALL amalgam must be removed if you wish to eliminate your mercury exposure.  Thus all specs must be removed from the teeth and under crowns.  All amalgam should be removed from the bone of your jaw.  You would be horrified to see the sloppy dentistry that comes through my door.  We often find bits of amalgam in the gum, forced down into the bone next to the tooth, dropped into the bony socket after an extraction and believe it or not at the end of a root.  (Check out the slide show)

The placement of amalgam at the end of a root is called a ‘retrograde amalgam root filling’.  In an attempt to fix a recalcitrant abscess at the end of a root therapy, the dentist may do a surgical procedure called an Apicectomy to clean the abscess out of the bone and then seals the end of the root with an amalgam filling.  This is equivalent to implanting mercury directly into the brain. This is common practice in dentistry even though the manufacturers recommend not doing it. Again dentistry ignores the contraindications which are clearly spelt out.  I always recommend that the tooth and the amalgam both be removed.

For the sake of repeating myself, it is vital that all amalgam be removed from the teeth, under crowns and from the bone and soft tissues.  Ensure that your dentist is aware of this.  All of our dental nurses are trained to keep an eye on what is happening as it is easy for a dentist to miss a small spec in a tooth.  It is always better to have four eyes rather than two making sure this is achieved.

Another place that dentists often use metal is in restoring a large filling.  The old thinking from the amalgam teaching days, is that the filling will need to be supported with the equivalent of reinforced concrete.  The way this is done is to insert self-tapping screws into the tooth and then to wrap the filling around them.  This is common with amalgam fillings.  Over the past 17 years of doing cleNER NON-amalgam dentistry I can only remember one tooth where I thought that this might be appropriate.  That’s one out of thousands.  I do not use pins or posts to support the fillings.  Composites are bonded to a tooth and in fact make the tooth stronger.  There is no need to add extra hardware.  Be aware that many pins are either titanium or stainless steel.  Stainless steel releases nickel which is highly immune reactive. 

Quite simply if the dentist insists that pins are to be used you might want to find a dentist who knows how to use composite correctly.  Also make sure that the dentist will endeavor to remove all old pins that are in the tooth.  They can certainly have an effect on your immune system and may even generate enough electric interference to affect your health generally. 

Although I have not mentioned removing dead root treated teeth, NICO lesions, TMJ or dentures, you should be looking at all of these aspects of your oral health as part of the treatment plan.  For instance I see no point in replacing the amalgam in a dead tooth which would be better off extracted and out of your head.  If you do NOT want to have the extraction for whatever reason; than you would of course replace the amalgam.  You are after all doing this to improve your overall health, so a comprehensive treatment plan is essential. 

Rubber Dam

The very basic protection that should be used at all times that amalgam is removed is a sheet of rubber called a rubber dam.  If you have a latex allergy it is possible to use non-latex dams and gloves. It is important to let your dentist know about it.  I liken it to a condom for teeth.  Yes you are about to have intimate contact with your teeth but rather than any STD’s you need to be protected from the rubbish being drilled out of your teeth.  A rubber dam forms the first physical barrier to inhaling vast quantities of microscopic amalgam particles and mercury vapour.  Holes are punched in a sheet of rubber so that the only teeth that protrude through the sheet are the teeth to be worked on.  The sheet is held in place on a frame and also with a special clamp on the tooth. 

For all those who are claustrophobic or worry about breathing, I assure you that there is never a problem if the dam is properly placed.  At very worst it can be removed after the amalgam is cut out.  Most people are pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of this procedure and at the lack of toxic waste remaining in their mouths.  It may not be possible to completely seal the mouth but most of the time you can achieve about a 99.9% seal.  There is a dramatic reduction in mercury vapour exposure when a rubber dam is used.  Interestingly, most of the research supporting this is from the dental journals themselves.  Microscopic particles are not inhaled.  It is safer and cleaner way to do it.  As I said earlier, if the dentist is not using a rubber dam do not allow them near your mouth.    , , , , , ,

Separate Air Supply

To prevent inhaling the cloud of mercury vapour that you will be sitting in, a separate air supply is necessary.  We provide special respiratory masks for the patient, dentist and nurse.  High volume air is blown over the face to prevent the inhalation of mercury vapour.  The air should be clean, sterile and not from the surgery.  Medical gasses are the ideal.  At worst you could breath a little oxygen from the happy gas machine for a short time only.  Long term use of pure oxygen can have deleterious health effects.   It is important to have a high enough volume that there is a wind blowing across your face. 

If the dentist and nurse do NOT have this equipment also, you might wonder about how seriously they are taking the danger they are exposed to.

Suction

Little saliva ejectors are not sufficient. The dentist needs to use high volume suction again as much as possible, to suck away as much mercury vapour and particles as possible.  The suction must be vented to the outside of the building.  This is critical if you are to avoid being poisoned.

Drilling the filling

As mentioned earlier there are some dentists who take ages to remove a filling.  Aside from extended suffering for the patient, it is a disaster in terms of mercury vapour production.  The longer the drill bit touches the filling the more mercury will be released.  Ensure that the dentist uses drill bits which shatter rather than grind the amalgam.  This way, large chunks of amalgam are cut from the tooth and this can be achieved very quickly.  Do not be surprised if you feel a little vibration in your tooth as these drill bits are fairly tough.  A new bur should be used at each appointment and if there is a large amount of material to be removed the dentist may need to use two or more new burs.  Although these drill bits are very efficient at removing amalgam they do go blunt fairly quickly and should be discarded as soon as this happens.  I think the most time I have ever spent drilling out a quadrant of amalgams (4 – 6 fillings) is about five minutes for all of them. 

Even if you are wearing protective glasses make sure that you keep your eyes closed during this part of the procedure as it is easy for bits of amalgam to fly under the protective glasses and get in the eye.

From the IAOMT website we read;
The manner in which dentists operate their equipment dramatically affects the amount of mercury released. Never drill on mercury high dry.  It is hazardous to you, your staff, and your patient. Levels as high as 4000 mg/M3 have been measured 18" from the drill when used high dry. Levels over 1000 mg/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.

Water

Increasing the temperature of amalgam will increase the amount of mercury coming out of the amalgam.  The best way to keep the filling cool is to use copious amounts of water during the drilling process.  Water from the drill is basic.  Extra water should also be sprayed (without air) through the hand or triplex syringe.  The more water the better.

Negative Ion Generators

Negative Ion Generators and air filters should be fitted in all surgeries.  They have a profound effect in keeping the air clean. Again, the more and the stronger, the better.  If the windows can be opened with a good cross ventilation all the better. For a surgery in the country, nature may provide all that is needed.  Clean air is essential.

Filling

The replacement fillings are another important consideration.  None are the same and there are hundreds on the market.  Some form of biocompatibility testing should be done to asses which materials are suitable for your body.  This testing can be done relatively easily and should include all filling materials which may be used, local anesthetics, denture materials and in fact any thing which is to be implanted into the body.

To my knowledge there are no standard pathology laboratories in Australia offering this service.  A method less accepted by the dental establishment but which nonetheless works well, is known as electrodermal screening.  Various machines are available on the market which are able to do this such as Vega, Orion, Avitar and many others.  It is important also to have an operator who is trained to be able to test a large variety of dental materials. Preferably one who is working closely with a dentist.

For patients who already have multiple allergies I regard this as the first step only.  Once I have a list of supposedly suitable materials, I will give samples of the material to the patient to take home.  It is worth trying to keep one sample at a time in the mouth for about ten minutes a day to see if there is an adverse reaction.  Note the materials which may be suitable and those which have caused a reaction.  You certainly do not want those that produce adverse effects implanted in your body.

More sophisticated compatibility testing is desperately needed but dentistry does not seem interested to include this in its funding or research programs. What else would you expect though from an industry that considers mercury safe? 

A special mention should be made here about crown and bridge work alloys.  There are over 100 alloys on the market with which to make crowns and bridges.   A few are gold and platinum only.  These are generally the least immune reactive.  Many alloys also contain palladium, which is known to be almost as immune reactive as nickel.  Then there are a huge variety of non precious alloys. They all look and function the same but many may potentially have a terrible effect on your immune system.  If for some reason the only material that can be used is a metal crown (and there are technical reasons why this may be better than porcelain) insist that only gold/platinum alloys are used.  Note also that even gold can be immune reactive and create a series of reactions which may cause overt auto immune diseases.  , , , ,

Shower after appointment

After you have had an amalgam fillings drilled out it is a good idea to shower when you get home.  Wash your hair to remove amalgam micro particles.  You really do not want this stuff on your pillow, vaporizing mercury while you sleep on it.  Wash your clothes separately so as to not contaminate the rest of the family.

All dental personnel should also protect their families and themselves.  Always wash the clothing that you wear in the surgery, separately from all other items.  Always shower and wash your hair after the days work.  Always remain on the supplements recommended for the patients.  Never ever use amalgam. Better alternatives are available.

It is timely to mention one other most overlooked source of mercury.  It is from the amalgam which remains in your partner’s mouth. Kissing the person who you love is wonderful unless your lover has a mouthful of fillings.  I have had many patients where this is a major problem.  Perhaps you could suggest that your partner also benefit from having their amalgams replaced.

Every dose of mercury from whatever source is still a dose of mercury. 

Supplements

The recommendations above will reduce the mercury exposure significantly while removing amalgam.  They do not eliminate it though.  You will still be exposed to a transient increase in mercury vapour exposure albeit substantially less than not taking the above precautions.  You therefore need to have an adequate supply of substances in your blood which will bind this mercury and help to excrete it before it locks onto your cells.  Mercury only stays in the blood for 12 – 24 hours after exposure.  After this it is locked onto the cells.

Removing amalgam does not remove mercury from your body.  It removes the greatest source of mercury from your body.  Until the source is removed it is impossible to remove the mercury.  It is regarded as a cumulative toxin therefore you will always absorb more from the fillings than you will be able to excrete.  Removing the amalgam is like turning the taps off.  You still need to empty the bathtub. The first step of course is to turn of the taps.  Getting the mercury out of your body is supported by using specific supplements which have been shown to bind to mercury in a way that allows the body to excrete them. 

Some patients believe that removing the amalgam is enough to solve all of their health issues.  This is generally not so.  Emptying the bath tub is crucial.  If there is permanent damage in the tissues there may not be a resolution of the disease state.  Other medical support may also be needed.  As well other dental causes of the disease may exist.  These are usually but not always a dead root therapied tooth, a NICO lesion or a TMJ problem.  Often there will be a combination of these issues and they must all be addressed.  Neural interferences are common in the mouth.

Contrary to what the dental establishment claim, urine is not the best way of measuring body burdens of mercury.  Faeces is.  The reason is that most mercury is excreted via the faeces.  The main organ that filters mercury is not the kidneys but the liver.  From the liver the mercury is expelled into the gall bladder and then into the small intestine.  Unfortunately this is NOT a direct route to the toilet.  Much of the mercury is reabsorbed through the lining of the large intestine and from here recirculates and retoxifies.  You therefore also need specific supplements in the gut which will bind the mercury so that it can be excreted.  One of the best supplements able to do this and act as an organic sponge for heavy metals is blue-green algae called Chlorella.

You will also need supplements which will chelate mercury off the cells and into the blood so that it can be filtered out.  Many substances do this including chlorella, glutathione, garlic and selenium. 

It is advisable to include in the supplement regime constituents which will help the recovery of damaged tissue.

A very basic list of supplements is presented below.  I intentionally leave out the dosages as this may need to be determined on an individual basis.  I also intentionally leave out the particular brand names as different products are available in different countries.  I am also intentionally being more general than specific at this point as I am fully aware that this subject of detoxification is constantly changing as new research is presented.  It will be up to the individual to try and determine which works best for you.  I would strongly recommend a few web sites which present various ideas and products. Become familiar with the concepts and be open to new ideas.  Join some amalgam chat rooms on the web and see what has worked for others.

The sites I would recommend starting at;

• Dr Hal Huggins http://www.hugginsappliedhealing.com/index.php
• Dr Dietrich Klinghardt  http://www.neuraltherapy.com/
• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology – IAOMT at http://www.iaomt.org/

You might also try searching GOOGLE or any other search engine on ‘amalgam removal’  - you will be surprised at the number of sites saying the same thing.

A basic list of supplements:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B with folic acid
• Selenium
• Mineral supplements
• Electrolytes
• Chlorella
• Organic Garlic
• Glutathione

It has been shown that coriander (also known as cilantro) is very effective in removing mercury from the cells.  It even assists in moving mercury out across the blood brain barrier.  One problem with this is that it is capable of mobilizing so much mercury that it can have a detrimental effect on the kidneys and liver.  For this reason it is recommended to start cilantro a month after the amalgam is removed completely.

There are other chelating agents which also work such as DMPS and DMSA.  I believe that these should be administered only under medical supervision.

I would also add a cautionary warning about homeopathic amalgam and mercury. ?  The problem is that these particular homeopathics work too well and mobilize massive amounts of mercury.  I have seen some people do well on these substances - and many who have become very sick due to the mercury overload of kidneys and liver.  If you plan to use homeopathic amalgam make sure that the homeopath has a clear understanding of these protocols.

Conclusion

The time for accepting the word of a dentist has finished.  It is up to you the individual to become educated about treatments that are offered.  You do have a right to choose your dentist and to choose the treatments and materials that are offered.  No one owns you but you. 

As R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983) said;    "I am the only guinea pig I have."

Dentists generally are misguided about the dangers of mercury and thus need to be questioned.  There is only one person who has to live in your body and dentists are generally not the people to determine what is best for your body.  Remember that it may have been many years that mercury has been accumulating in your body. Be patient with the recovery program as it may take months to years before seeing a major benefit from the removal of the amalgam implants.  There is no doubt though that removing the amalgam fillings will lower your body burden of mercury. I hope that the information presented here will have been of some help in making decisions about your health.

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