Steffany Mohan, DDS is one of the only SMART certified dentists in Des Moines, IA

Nowadays, many patients are considering removing their amalgam fillings due to health concerns or because their amalgam fillings have worn out, causing problems with their teeth structure.

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) recommends that all dentists should follow Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) for removing dental amalgam fillings. The IAOMT guarantees the least mercury exposure to the body and the environment during the amalgam (silver) fillings removal.

What Risks Are Associated with Mercury Toxicity?

For years, silver amalgam fillings have been used to fill dental cavities. About 50% of dental amalgam consists of mercury, bonded with alloys like silver/copper/tin to form an amalgam. Dental amalgam fillings are also called “silver fillings” due to their silver-like appearance. Many studies indicate that these fillings release small quantities of mercury vapor while sipping hot soups, coffee or chewing. These vapors are absorbed by the body and can be a cause of concern for you.

Small quantities of colorless and odorless mercury vapors are also released while the dentist drills out old amalgams. This exposes everyone present in the dental office to mercury toxicity. Mercury vapor gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Over time, increasing levels of mercury in your body can cause health issues including birth defects, cognitive defects, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and many others. Some symptoms of mercury poisoning are impaired vision, abnormal cognitive function, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, speech impairment, and more.

Mercury poisoning is something you should avoid at all cost. Several critical incidents involving amalgam fillings highlights the impact that typical mercury exposure can have on your health and surroundings. There are constant reports about casualties, including deaths and hospitalization, happening all over the world due to mercury toxicity. Also, there have been instances where many buildings have been declared uninhabitable by the EPA due to mercury exposure.

What Makes Us a Mercury Safe Dentist?

Steffany Mohan, DDS, is one of the only SMART certified dentists in Des Moines, Iowa. She ensures strict compliance with the safety protocols recommended by the IAOMT for dental amalgam removal at her dental practices.

As a Mercury safe dentist, we are aware of the potential for excess exposure to mercury when removing amalgam fillings. We apply the necessary protocols mentioned below for safe amalgam removal to reduce the amount of mercury exposure to you, our team members, and the environment.

• Providing you with an alternative air source
• Using a cold-water spray to minimize mercury vapors
• Putting a dental dam in your mouth, so you don’t swallow or inhale any toxins
• Using a high-volume evacuator near the tooth at all times to evacuate the mercury vapor
• Washing your mouth out immediately after the fillings have been removed
• Immediately cleaning your protective wear and face once the fillings are removed

If you would like to know more about this treatment please call our friendly team on +15152245999 to discover more.