Almost 15 years ago we learned about the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) when member dentists at an unrelated nutrition conference asked us if we were still placing mercury amalgam (silver) fillings. When we admitted we were, they quickly told us that there is substantial, convincing evidence that the mercury found in these fillings is harmful and that we could learn more about quality alternatives at the IAOMT. We decided to attend an IAOMT meeting right away and found out that this group, which is now more than 30 years old, had amassed a large collection of research articles that made us rethink our training in dental school. Amalgam fillings continually release harmful mercury, even more so when they are heated by food or drink, when they are abraded while chewing food or brushing, and certainly when they crumble. They can even split teeth since they expand differently than your natural tooth, so it is very important to have them removed. There is a great video on the internet called the “Smoking Tooth” produced by the IAOMT. We were impressed when we first saw it – check it out!
At that first IAOMT meeting we attended, we purchased some of the equipment we now use to safely contain the poisonous vapors that are released when mercury amalgams are disturbed or removed. Although we do liberate more vapor during removal this can safely be done by a qualified IAOMT-certified dentist with the right equipment. We now follow IAOMT recommendations (see www.iaomt.org) to contain these vapors, which protects not only the patient but also the clinicians and the environment. The procedure for safe amalgam filling removal includes using a dental dam to isolate the tooth being restored, providing the patient with a clean external air source or oxygen delivered via a nasal mask, employing a secondary suction system with special charcoal filters and an ionizer to clean the room air, providing a charcoal rinse to coat the mouth, and methodically removing the amalgam in large pieces with a lot of water. To protect the clinicians (an occupational hazard that has sickened many of our fellow professionals), we wear respirators with special mercury filters. In addition, we have greatly reduced our office’s discharge of the removed mercury (an environmental hazard) with an in-office sedimentation filter. In Kingston, NY, where we practice, we were recently asked to prove we had this protective device in place – 10 years after the equipment was mandated. Better late than never! We are all happy that, as a profession, IAOMT- certified dentists are making great strides to protect our health and the environment. ~ Drs. Viglielmo Biological Dentistry, www.drvigs.com
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AuthorsJeffrey Scott Viglielmo, DDS, AIAOMT and Maureen Kelly Viglielmo, MS, DDS Categories
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October 2019
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