Removing amalgam filling?

[MichelleCarmen]

My dh has given notice at his job. We have dental insurance until the end of the month, so I decided I would get the works done: checkup, xrays, fillings, root canals, etc. I figured I have at least a few cavaties because any time I bit down on something sweet or cold, two bottom teeth hurt. Well. . .as it turns out I do not have any cavaties in my mouth or in the painful spot. In fact, the only filling I have is the one I''ve had since a teenager (dentist was amazed!) and that is where the pain is.

That filling is an amalgam one and the dentist said it''s loosing it''s life-span and that is why tooth bothers me when I eat. There isnt a cavity there. There is a prodecure where the dentist removes the amalgam, trims my tooth down a bit and puts in a porcelain filling. This will cost me $900 out-of-pocket. After Dec., it''ll be $1,400.

I''m really nervous about having any possible mercury leach into my body as the filling is being pried out/removed. I told the dentist that and all she could offer me is that they use a "rubber damn," to collect any mercury, which sounds a bit like nonscense to me. I kept trying to get her to tell me her honest feelings, but she kept quoting the ADA''s standard answer.

Any thoughts? Should I try going to a specialized clinic instead?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

MC I''ve had several silver fillings replaced with ceramic. It''s no worse feeling or problematic then your standard filling. If you don''t do it you could end up with problems requiring a root canal which will be much more expensive than $900.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''d also like to add that this isn''t a situation where you''re making the choice because of vanity. Silver fillings only last so long before they degrade and start leaching mercury, so really you''re comparing apples to apples at this point.

 

[E B]

MC,

I went to a special dentist when I had to have an amalgam removed while pregnant (had no choice, was in extreme pain, needed root canal). They gave me a separate oxygen source (through my nose), used a rubber dam, and had a special fan going to collect particles. The dentist actually cracked it into two large pieces rather than several small, further reducing my risk of exposure.

This is where I found my dentist:

Mercury-Safe Dentists

I had another dentist tell me there would be no issues removing it the normal way, but being pregnant, I wasn't going to take any chances. I was happy to pay extra just in case. And before we TTC my next child, I'm having my other amalgam removed BEFORE so there aren't any issues.

Hope this helps!

 

[soocool]

Last yeqr I had all my amalgam fillings removed (5 teeth) that were over 35 years old. No problems whatsoever. All were filled with tooth colored fillings and all 5 teeth came to about $1000.00 total. Are you getting an onlay? If so, that is why it is $900.00. I just had a new crown put in and that only cost $880.00 (my cost was 1/2 of that thanks to insurance).

 

[Pandora II]

I had a massive number of these done 10 years ago - it was a year of dental work as my dentist would only remove one every month because of the mercury risk.

He gave me charcoal tablets to take beforehand, I had to have a shot of whisky as well (?) and then he used a rubber dam (he wore a big mask thing as well). The cavity was then left open for a week before the reconstruction - it was packed with something to remove any minute traces and didn''t hurt although I had to be careful eating.

I think I paid around $1400 for 13 reconstructions... he did an amazing job, they were matched perfectly to my tooth colour and each one took over an hour to do. I''m almost tempted to fly to Italy every time I need to see a dentist!

 

[monarch64]

I had 4 silver fillings removed and replaced with the white stuff. I don''t remember even thinking about or worrying about the mercury issue. I was glad to have all that silver out of my mouth.

 

[MustangGal]

I''ve had 7 removed/replaced for various reasons, and don''t remember them doing anything differently

.

The last of them was a few months ago, I had to get a crown, the silver filling had craked my tooth!

The $900 does sound high, an entire crown normally runs less than that. Most fillings are $150-$200.

 

[movie zombie]

i have read that one should see a dentist that specializes in this type of removal. as i have not had the need to have any removals, i have not researched this. however, i''m fairly certain that if i do decide to remove those old mercury fillings, i''m going to find someone who isn''t going to expose me to more mercury than the intact original filling.

mz

 

[monarch64]

Date: 12/10/2009 3:06:27 PM
Author: monarch64
I had 4 silver fillings removed and replaced with the white stuff. I don''t remember even thinking about or worrying about the mercury issue. I was glad to have all that silver out of my mouth.

I had mine removed and replaced not due to age but because I had two more cavities and my dentist wanted to make them match. In addition to that procedure I was having a ton of other things done, I did the Zoom whitening, had all 4 wisdom teeth removed, oral surgery to widen my upper palate, braces (clear brackets), etc. If I was spending the money on all of that I was damn well going to have all matching fillings.

 

[soocool]

I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 12/10/2009 2:00:00 PM
Author: soocool
Last yeqr I had all my amalgam fillings removed (5 teeth) that were over 35 years old. No problems whatsoever. All were filled with tooth colored fillings and all 5 teeth came to about $1000.00 total. Are you getting an onlay? If so, that is why it is $900.00. I just had a new crown put in and that only cost $880.00 (my cost was 1/2 of that thanks to insurance).

Yes, she said she''s doing an onlay.

Hudson - yes, I can see the apples-to-apples with my situation, still . . .it''s just the paranoia of what may happen. I won''t even do vaccinations because of fear of mercury! I''ve had the filling for 21 years. Man, that makes me feel really old!

Pandora - my DH had a few fillings taken out and was given charcoal, as well. Why did you have the shot of whiskey? I mean, I''d be all for that (or a couple shots for that matter)! lol Just wondering if there is a point to that. I was just hoping she''d give me a vicodin! God, isn''t that horrible? Once when I got my teeth cleaned, I asked the dentist for nitrous because I hadn''t ever had it before and I wigged out because (from what everyone tells me) he gave me too much. The bright light shining in my face felt like I was being abducted by aliens!!! That was my last dentist visit for MANY years!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM
Author: soocool
I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

Soocool - my son had a reaction to his dental work and at the time we didn''t know why and I had done a bit of googling and found a study that dentists who work with amalgam were found to have a 1 in 10 chance of developing parkinsin''s disease! I don''t know how many were involved in the study or recall all the details. Still, that was freaky to hear.

Oh, and get this: my dh has a VIAL of mercury. He worked in a physics test lab at the university and somehow came across a sealed glass tube filled with it. Crazy. He stuck it inside a teapot that I place on top of my cabinets to decorate my kitchen. Nobody can reach it. . .what in the world am I suppose to do with it? Throw it in the garbage? I want it out of the house, but how?

Maybe I should give it to my dentist to dispose of.

 

[southernsmiledoc]

Hi MC -

I just happened to run accross this thread - I''m a dentist and I''d just like to reassure you that the removal of amalgam fillings in need of replacement is completely safe you shouldn''t worry about possible mercury complications from the procedure - especially of you''re in pain! I specialize in cosmetic dentistry and have removed my fair share of amalgams. There have been numerous studies done by independent sources and the mercury exposure from the placement and removal of amalgam dental restorations is actually far less than the normal environmental exposure that everyone experiences (food, ecological mercury, etc...). Please get the work done if your dentist recommends it. Inlays and onlays are excellent restorations with great esthetics and a long lifespan. Hope this helps!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 12/10/2009 5:52:23 PM
Author: MC

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM
Author: soocool
I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

Soocool - my son had a reaction to his dental work and at the time we didn''t know why and I had done a bit of googling and found a study that dentists who work with amalgam were found to have a 1 in 10 chance of developing parkinsin''s disease! I don''t know how many were involved in the study or recall all the details. Still, that was freaky to hear.

Oh, and get this: my dh has a VIAL of mercury. He worked in a physics test lab at the university and somehow came across a sealed glass tube filled with it. Crazy. He stuck it inside a teapot that I place on top of my cabinets to decorate my kitchen. Nobody can reach it. . .what in the world am I suppose to do with it? Throw it in the garbage? I want it out of the house, but how?

Maybe I should give it to my dentist to dispose of.

Er, nothing... I still have a load of mercury thermometers - and use them...

 

[kama_s]

Date: 12/10/2009 5:52:23 PM
Author: MC
my dh has a VIAL of mercury.

Mercury is crazy fun to play with. I used to spend a lot of time playing with mercury droplets when I was in high school! I'd scream if I found out my child was doing that!

ETA: Also had a mercury thermometer break in my mouth once. I'm still alive

 

[IloveAsschers13]

Date: 12/10/2009 5:52:23 PM
Author: MC

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM

Author: soocool

I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

Soocool - my son had a reaction to his dental work and at the time we didn''t know why and I had done a bit of googling and found a study that dentists who work with amalgam were found to have a 1 in 10 chance of developing parkinsin''s disease! I don''t know how many were involved in the study or recall all the details. Still, that was freaky to hear.


Oh, and get this: my dh has a VIAL of mercury. He worked in a physics test lab at the university and somehow came across a sealed glass tube filled with it. Crazy. He stuck it inside a teapot that I place on top of my cabinets to decorate my kitchen. Nobody can reach it. . .what in the world am I suppose to do with it? Throw it in the garbage? I want it out of the house, but how?

Maybe I should give it to my dentist to dispose of.

I''m pretty sure you have to set up an appointment for someone to come and pick it up and dispose of it. This is how it goes in MI anyways- my mom broke a mercury thermometer and someone (a sort of HASMAT person- spelling?) came to dispose of it "properly." You can definitely look it up for you state.

 

[AprilBaby]

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM
Author: soocool
I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

That is baloney. No one specializes in amalgam fillings. Everyone at dental school learns how to place and remove amalgam. Mercury only comes out if the amalgam is heated to a high temperature. There is NO danger in removing amalgam at any point. And $1000 to replace an amalgam is a scam. I see people all the time who have amalgams 60 years old. They can look as good as the day they were put in. If you want it replaced, have a white composite put in for $150. This really burns me up.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 12/14/2009 12:51:44 PM
Author: AprilBaby

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM
Author: soocool
I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

That is baloney. No one specializes in amalgam fillings. Everyone at dental school learns how to place and remove amalgam. Mercury only comes out if the amalgam is heated to a high temperature. There is NO danger in removing amalgam at any point. And $1000 to replace an amalgam is a scam. I see people all the time who have amalgams 60 years old. They can look as good as the day they were put in. If you want it replaced, have a white composite put in for $150. This really burns me up.

She said the price is because I need an onlay. Is that BS?

Okay, I'll google and see what I come up with.

ETA - I just did a quick search and found that an onlay is needed for those who have a big filling where there isn't enough tooth structure left to support a new filling. The filling does do down the side of my tooth (on the inside).

 

[E B]

Date: 12/14/2009 12:51:44 PM
Author: AprilBaby

Mercury only comes out if the amalgam is heated to a high temperature. There is NO danger in removing amalgam at any point.

From the FDA:

Potential Risks:

Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury. It releases low levels of mercury vapor that can be inhaled. High levels of mercury vapor exposure are associated with adverse effects in the brain and the kidneys.

If I am concerned about the mercury in dental amalgam, should I have my fillings removed?

If your fillings are in good condition and there is no decay beneath the filling, FDA does not recommend that you have your amalgam fillings removed or replaced. Removing sound amalgam fillings results in unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure, and exposes you to additional mercury vapor released during the removal process.

Whether or not the amount of mercury released is hazardous to one's health is another issue. I saw a specialist because, from the same site, "There is limited clinical information about the potential effects of dental amalgam fillings on pregnant women and their developing fetuses..."

 

[soocool]

Date: 12/14/2009 1:09:42 PM
Author: MC

Date: 12/14/2009 12:51:44 PM
Author: AprilBaby

Date: 12/10/2009 5:16:05 PM
Author: soocool
I never realized there were dentists who specialized in removing amalgam fillings. You would think that all the dentists who worked with these fillings over the years would all be dead from mercury poisoning. I would be more concerned breaking a fluorescent or cfl light bulb in my home and contaminating my home since they contain mercury.

That is baloney. No one specializes in amalgam fillings. Everyone at dental school learns how to place and remove amalgam. Mercury only comes out if the amalgam is heated to a high temperature. There is NO danger in removing amalgam at any point. And $1000 to replace an amalgam is a scam. I see people all the time who have amalgams 60 years old. They can look as good as the day they were put in. If you want it replaced, have a white composite put in for $150. This really burns me up.

She said the price is because I need an onlay. Is that BS?

Okay, I''ll google and see what I come up with.

ETA - I just did a quick search and found that an onlay is needed for those who have a big filling where there isn''t enough tooth structure left to support a new filling. The filling does do down the side of my tooth (on the inside).

My husband is getting an onlay next week and the cost is around $900, and insurance will pay 50% of that.

 

[Selkie]

Does anyone regret having their amalgam fillings switched out for composites? My dentist was nagging me for a couple of years about doing it for the fillings in my molars, two on each side (uppers). I finally had the right side done a few months ago, and since then they have been annoying me to no end. The composite surfaces don''t meet like my teeth used to, so my bite is STILL readjusting and feels very awkward, and I have cold/heat sensitivity and discomfort if I bite down too hard. I canceled the appointment we had set up to do the left side because I didn''t want to have both sides of my mouth be so uncomfortable, but I have a cleaning coming up soon and I plan to discuss it with him then. While he was doing the replacement, he said that I had more decay under the old fillings than he originally thought, so that makes me nervous about the remaining old ones. However, I have no trouble with them as they are, and aesthetically it''s not an issue for me because it''s the upper teeth. I''m undecided, but leaning towards keeping the old ones, at least for a while longer.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 12/14/2009 5:25:35 PM
Author: Selkie
Does anyone regret having their amalgam fillings switched out for composites? My dentist was nagging me for a couple of years about doing it for the fillings in my molars, two on each side (uppers). I finally had the right side done a few months ago, and since then they have been annoying me to no end. The composite surfaces don''t meet like my teeth used to, so my bite is STILL readjusting and feels very awkward, and I have cold/heat sensitivity and discomfort if I bite down too hard. I canceled the appointment we had set up to do the left side because I didn''t want to have both sides of my mouth be so uncomfortable, but I have a cleaning coming up soon and I plan to discuss it with him then. While he was doing the replacement, he said that I had more decay under the old fillings than he originally thought, so that makes me nervous about the remaining old ones. However, I have no trouble with them as they are, and aesthetically it''s not an issue for me because it''s the upper teeth. I''m undecided, but leaning towards keeping the old ones, at least for a while longer.

I was really pleased with mine, but my dentist spent a huge amount of time sculpting the new tooth so that it felt normal to bite on. At least an hour for each tooth.