The Difference between Mercury Free and Mercury Safe Dentistry - Mark Buzza

Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

The Difference between Mercury Free and Mercury Safe Dentistry Millions of people have at least one silver or dark amalgam filling in their mouth. Half of this filling is made of mercury, a highly toxic metal that releases harmful vapor, especially when heated. Consuming hot or acidic food and drink, tooth brushing, and teeth grinding all increase the amount of mercury vaporization and exposure. Drilling out a mercury filling without proper care creates by far the most heat and releases the greatest concentrations of mercury vapor, resulting in the highest exposure to this toxin during the removal procedure. The released mercury then is absorbed through the lungs where it enters the bloodstream and can cross the blood-brain barrier or into a placenta. Because mercury chemically bonds with everything, it is not easy to eliminate. Mercury, if retained in the body, can wreak havoc on cells and have adverse effects on the enzymatic process. There are no recognized biological benefits to mercury. Health-conscious people considering mercury amalgam removal and replacement should know that without proper patient protection, you may be subjected to an acute exposure of mercury vapor that exceeds guidelines established by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the EPA. Mercury is odorless and provides no warning of hazardous concentrations. Dental offices may not be monitoring their mercury vapor air levels. Any dentist can remove amalgams, that much is clear. However, â??mercury freeâ?? dental practices like NutraDentist donâ??t use amalgams at all! NutraDentist uses biocompatible dental materials in new fillings and reduces toxic exposure to the patient in the removal procedure for mercury-based fillings. For thirty years the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) has advocated a science-based safety protocol that includes: â?¢ Nutritional support: Whole-food supplements support the physiology of the patient before and after mercury removal appointments. This maximizes the elimination of toxins. This is not the same as detoxification, which is optimally performed after all amalgams are removed. â?¢ Supplemental oxygen: The patient inhales clean oxygen through the nose instead of the harmful mercury-laced air created during amalgam removal. Oxygen also assists the body in healing for obvious reasons. â?¢ Clean air: High-tech air purifiers with extension tubes positioned by the patientâ??s mouth remove mercury vapor and particulates from the treatment room. The air purifier acts as a vacuum and sucks up the dangerous toxins. This is called ultrafiltration. â?¢ Barrier protection: A rubber dam barrier minimizes scattering of amalgam debris, reducing contact with the oral tissues. A 1990 study determined that a rubber dam eliminated the spike in plasma mercury one day post-removal, as well as the spike in urine mercury ten days afterward. â?¢ Suction: The best way to remove mercury vapor and amalgam particulates from the area completely is high volume evacuation (HVE). â?¢ Keeping it cool: Using lots of purified, ozonated water during removal lowers the temperature and limits mercury vapor. â?¢ Cut and chunk: Removing larger and fewer pieces means less surface area for mercury to escape. A dedicated and disciplined detoxification program should be followed after amalgams are removed. Your body needs help in removing any mercury that remains bioaccumulated. There are many different holistic detoxification protocols used to do this, ranging beyond the conventional and into the nutritional, herbal, and other natural aids. Getting the mercury out of your mouth is imperative if you want to remove harmful, carcinogenic toxins from your body. NutraDentist promises protection from an acute exposure to mercury vapor during amalgam removal in a healthy, safe, pain-free way. Dr. Mark H. Buzzatto is a practicing holistic health care professional, educator, and consultant specializing in safe amalgam removal, cavity reversal, and nutritional support for all dental issues. Contact him at [phone], [e-mail], or nutradentist.com. Watch a podcast with Dr. Buzzatto here.