Dentistry practices and materials have changed dramatically in the past few decades. Concerning dental fillings, metal amalgam fillings used to be the standard for repairing a decayed tooth. Today’s dental fillings are made from composite resin, a safer, more durable, and aesthetically pleasing option.
If you have metal fillings and want to replace them with composite resin, we can safely remove and dispose of them without harming you or the environment. Here’s how.
Are Metal Fillings Safe?
Metal amalgam fillings are comprised of liquid mercury and a combination of copper, tin, zinc, and silver. Although the Food and Drug Administration and the American Dental Association both say that metal fillings are safe, some believe there is a chance they could release a small amount of mercury. Because of this, the following groups should avoid amalgam fillings:
- Children
- Nursing mothers
- Women of childbearing age
- People with kidney impairment
- People with metal sensitivities
SMART Safe Mercury Removal in West Seattle
At Holliday Dental Wellness, we offer safe and effective replacement of your amalgam fillings through SMART Safe Mercury Removal. SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique.
Our dental team follows specific safety guidelines to protect our patients when dealing with metal fillings. We adhere to these SMART protocols in our West Seattle dental office:
- We wear protective wear, and so do our patients.
- We dispose of amalgam in an environmentally safe way.
- We use proper dental barriers for protection.
- We use high-speed suction and vacuums.
- We provide oxygen to our patients.
- We use protective air filtration and circulation.
Alternatives to Amalgam Fillings
Once we remove and dispose of your metal filling, we can replace it with a composite dental filling. Composite resin looks extremely natural and provides the stability your tooth needs to function correctly. No one will know you have a dental filling.
Need More Information about SMART Safe Mercury Removal in West Seattle, WA?
At Holliday Dental Wellness, we believe in offering our patients safe, effective, metal-free dental care. We provide the most biocompatible materials and properly dispose of old metal fillings. If you have questions about how we remove metal fillings or any of our other dental services, contact our West Seattle dental office at (206) 935-3161.