Do you have some older style amalgam fillings that you would prefer to replace? This material was extensively used for decades, so many people still have one or two silver coloured amalgams.
While amalgam was a practical material for its time, it’s now less frequently used because it has been replaced with far better and more modern materials designed to work harmoniously with your natural tooth structure. As an amalgam-free dental office, Bel Canto will ensure that your amalgam fillings are safely removed and afterwards the amalgam is correctly disposed of, ensuring it cannot harm the environment.
Why Is It Important to Safely Remove Amalgam?
It is essential that we take extensive care when removing any amalgam fillings because of the mercury content in this material. Amalgam fillings can release mercury vapour during their replacement and removal. Due to the toxic nature of mercury, the risk of exposure to mercury vapour during the removal of amalgam must be minimised. Every precaution is taken to ensure your inhalation of any mercury vapours is reduced as much as possible. These precautions also help to protect our staff and include placing a physical barrier in your mouth, and we use medical-grade HEPA filters to limit your exposure further.
How are physical barriers used for safe amalgam removal?
Before we begin removing your amalgam filling, your clothing is covered with protective barriers that are water-repellent, and we provide protective eyewear. Next, the tooth being treated is isolated using a latex-free dental dam. A dental dam is a protective square of latex-free rubber which is placed over your mouth and is held in position with clamps. A small hole is made in the dental dam so that Dr. Mackie can access the tooth for treatment. Using a dental dam helps to create a clean and dry area and prevents the possibility of any loose pieces of amalgam from being ingested.
As an amalgam-free dental office, Bel Canto will ensure that your amalgam fillings are safely removed and afterwards the amalgam is correctly disposed of, ensuring it cannot harm the environment
How are medical-grade HEPA filters used for safe amalgam removal?
Bel Canto Dental uses high-quality IQAir HEPA filters to remove mercury vapours and airborne particles during amalgam filling removal. These filters include gas phase filters specifically designed to capture mercury vapours, ensuring the air in our dental office is continually cleaned. This system minimizes your exposure to mercury vapours and other airborne microorganisms, providing a clean, safe environment during treatment. Dr. Mackie also tries to remove amalgam fillings in larger pieces to further limit mercury vapour release.
By using these high-quality air filters, we can ensure the air in our dental office is continually cleaned. Dr. Mackie will try to remove your amalgam filling in larger pieces whenever possible because this helps to limit the amount of mercury vapour that is released during treatment. By continually cleaning the air in our dental office, we can also minimise your exposure to any other airborne microorganisms, ensuring you are treated in a clean, safe environment.
Once your amalgam filling has been removed, we can replace it with a more cosmetically appealing tooth coloured filling made from advanced composite resin or porcelain. Both these materials are safe and hard wearing, and most importantly can preserve your teeth far more efficiently than amalgam.
If you currently have some older amalgam fillings and are considering their removal, then please ask Bel Canto for advice. Use our convenient online form to request an appointment. Someone will get in touch quickly to schedule a time that works best for you.
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