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Mercury Fillings: The ins and the outs
The time honored and lowly “silver” filling is a toxic time bomb. With so much to say, where does one start; perhaps with a little history. In the mid 1800’s the Cracour brothers, dentists from France came to America with a new “filling” material for teeth. It was composed of approximately 50% Mercury, 35% silver, 15% tin and zinc. They came on the scene and found favor with many of the dentists of the time. But some dentists opposed them on the grounds that Mercury should not be used in the body at all! These dentists tried to enforce this by having the members of the National Dental Association sign a pledge that they would not use this vile new mercury containing filling material for teeth. Their numbers were not sufficient however and the adherents to the “new material” won out. They banded together and formed what today the American Dental Association. So it is out of this that the political structure of American dentistry and government exist today. Up until recently the American Dental Association owned several patents on the formulation for the mercury amalgam filling components.
Silver/Mercury fillings are not FDA approved.
Did you know that the mercury fillings placed in the mouth are not even FDA certified? That’s right! It’s not even certified by themselves (the ADA). Hard to imagine. Due to a technicality the Dental Association has gotten around the approval process by saying that since the dentist is the final manufacturer of the material, taking place just prior to placement in the tooth of a patient. The dentist is the responsible party for any problems that arise. It seems strange to me that they certify all of the other admixed products used in a dental office, mixed by the dentist at the time of use, but not the mercury. Go figure.
For information from the American Dental Association about Mercury Fillings go to www.ada.org
Mercury is one of the most neurotoxic elements on the planet. There is no safe level for the body. This means that it is harmful at all doses. Comforting thought isn’t it? The profession for years has taught us that the mercury is bound up in the filling and it does not leak out. Perhaps with the science of the day when it was first used that statement could stand because, there was no way to refute it. Today however, it has been conclusively shown that Mercury leaks out of the filling over time from the moment it is inserted! And where does it go? Well, into your kidney's, brain, gut. And more.
For further information on the biochemistry of Mercury visit www.altcorp.com . Other sites that may be of interest are:
We have this book available at the office for your further education. This is a compilation of real life stories of victims of mercury overload.
Aside from the overt bodily damage it isn’t that great of a filling material. (If it ever was). You see, in freshman dental materials class, we learn that silver fillings expand three dimensionally over time. Thus it is said to be self-sealing. There are two sides to every coin aren’t there? The flip side to this is while it is doing its’ sealing by enlarging inside the tooth it is also creating some very great forces on the internal aspect of the tooth. So depending on the size of the filling, you have implanted a “crown seed”. That is when you have a larger filling present, there will almost always follow a crown in the future. The tooth will fracture at it weakest area and that is located where we were taught to put in “retention” to help hold the filling. This was really an undermining of the tooth cusp to lock the filling in. See the following diagrams.
  
What else is up with metals in the mouth?
How about a little extra energy? Did you ever think of your mouth as a little power plant? By definition a battery is formed when there are two or more dissimilar metals are in the presence of an electrolyte. In ones mouth, it is not uncommon to find up to a dozen (12) different metals present. Mercury fillings have 5 elements present, some crowns also have 3-5, partial denture frameworks have at least 3, and a few more can also be found. You can see in the picture here there is a flow of energy being generated by the dissimilar metals present. These can be measured and are used as an adjunct in determining the sequence of removal of the fillings. Research by Dr. Hal Huggins, a retired dentist from Colorado, has shown that it is more healthful or body friendly to remove the highest electronegative fillings first.
A negative electrical current recording means the opposite deep within the tissues. That is positive. This means that ions of copper, mercury, tin, zinc and silver are continually being released from the filling and are being driven into the body tissues; including the nerves, bone, blood and lymph producing a potentially toxic effect on cells. This affects local and distant organs and tissues.
 
Unsightly mercury amalgam tattoo Tattoo removed and a new prosthesis was placed
There is a phenomenon known as an amalgam tattoo that shows this phenomenon at work in ones mouth. In this picture you can see the purple like spots on the gums. These are commonly, but not exclusively, found in tissue adjacent to a crowned tooth. The principle in simple, the metallic ions are carried out of the filling via a galvanic current and plated out into the tissue just as inexpensive jewelry is plated with gold or silver to make look nicer.
In our amalgam removal process a dental dam is used. A dam will often be placed for the placement of the restorative material. This results in a much more durable restoration. The moisture in the mouth inhibits bonding of the materials resulting in a weaker situation.
Additionally we use a negative ion generator to help remove, from the operatory environment, ionic mercury that may be liberated from the fillings during the removal process. For large amalgam removal treatments or for those individuals who are known to be Mercury toxic we fully gown them and place a head bonnet for additional protection. At times oxygen is used to give an alternative air source during the removal process
So what are your options & treatments?
Direct Filling Materials or Resin Bonded Ceramics; These are, as the name implies, a ceramic filler held together in a resinous base. These are technique sensitive and not desirable in all applications. After the caries has been removed from the tooth, the exposed surface is conditioned with a dilute phosphoric acid gel etchant. This causes the tooth to become “microscopically etched”. The tooth is then dried and a bonding agent is applied. This flows into the microscopic pores thereby creating a mechanical lock. The material is cured and followed by the application of the “filling” material. Depending on the depth of the cavity, two or more applications might need be placed. After each layer a bright visible spectrum light is directed to the material to cure it. After the last layer has been applied, the surface is formed as needed, a coating is applied, to assure a complete cure of the surface, and the curing light is applied. When those steps are completed the bite is checked and adjusted as necessary.
Indirect Dental Restorations; These are used when circumstances don’t allow a direct restoration. Some of these reasons are: Strength, Cosmetics, Durability, Size of repair, Location (access), and preference. A laser is used to sterilize the exposed cavity walls. There is an added benefit of tooth desensitization also.
Some types of Indirect Restorations are:
Inlay Onlay Crown Laminate or Veneer
Our practice is geared as a “non-metal” practice. The above examples are primarily ceramic based. At times a 98% gold alloy is used for the treatment.
"CEREC" a revolutionary way to construct precision-custom milled restorations while you wait. This means no temporary and no return visit for placement. What a convenience!
Here you are seeing on the left is the milling unit and acquisition unit on the right.
Here you see a close-up of the restoration being milled from a solid block of material.
Dr. Meyer,
We are very thankful for your work. It has proved vital in providing better health for me. Our thanks and best wishes for Christmas and the coming year to you and your family and to each one in the office.
Linda Hawkins
Dr. Meyer has his new Holistic Biological Dentistry Site being developed here. (Click Here)
Dr. Meyer also has his Snoring & Sleep Apnea site here. (Click Here)
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