Amalgam fillings???

[Mommamia]

I'm so confused. My ds will be getting amalgam fillings this week. His dentist(and another dentist) said that amalgam does not contain mercury??

Now, I'm reading all over the net that they DO contain mercury? What the???

 

Anyone know the truth? Would you allow your dc(8)to rec've an amalgam filling?

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I would ask about composite fillings (the tan ones). No, I would be very hesitant to allow amalgam fillings IMHO but I could be wrong. Is there another dentist? Most offer both, but you may have to pay more for composite fillings.

 

Here is an interesting article from WebMD.com

 

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-fillings

 

Did they change the formula for amalgam? Maybe it does not contain mercury? WebMD says that it does have mercury....

[mom31257]

My ds got those fillings and, honestly, I didn't ask if they had mercury because I didn't think, too. I will say that they are not shiny like my old ones are, but they are a much lighter gray color. Maybe they make them without it now.

[Wyndie]

I would not allow amalgam. Unless there is a VERY new change, they are still 51% mercury. Composite does cost more but most insurance companies only make you pay the difference between amalgam and composite. I had all my amalgams removed a few years back and I got very sick from stirring up the mercury.

[gaillardia]

We were told we needed our old fillings replaced with the new stuff and it wouldn't look like we had fillings. Okay, so they're going to remove the old poison by how? Drilling the fine powdery stuff in my mouth, drill further into the tooth than the filling was, put this "new" stuff in -- OH, this new stuff, a plastic, causes cancer! New crowns too.

Wasn't there a thread on this stuff recently?

Ka CHING! Empty pockets here anyway.

And a couple of our kids JUST had this new filling stuff put in. Horrors.

Our older children NEVER had cavities, our younger ones, we are told, have nothing but cavities! :001_huh:

hm. We're going to a new dentist even though this one is giving us a break on the costs of everything.

:lurk5:And they told me not to eat popcorn.

[mom2abcd]

I had many of my amalgams replaced with composite. Some dentists are trained in how to do this. They secure a rubber piece around the tooth to prevent anything from going into your mouth and the assistant vacuums the pieces up.

 

I had no adverse reactions (but I did take activated charcoal afterwards or something like that). The dentist said he didn't know for sure if stable fillings leaked mercury, but the cracked one that I had would. He said he got into it because so many requested it. I think it helped me. (I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.)

 

I've heard of two dentists who do this and neither is listed on the sites below, but you may find someone who could help. (I heard by word of mouth).

 

You can find out more info here:

http://www.amalgam.org/'>http://www.amalgam.org/'>http://www.amalgam.org/'>http://www.amalgam.org/

http://www.flcv.com/indexa.html

Dentists and Doctors with special training in working with amalgam, root canals, cavitations- contact and ask for list

 

Amalgam

 

IAOMT (Dental Association) http://www.iaomt.org'>http://www.iaomt.org'>http://www.iaomt.org'>http://www.iaomt.org

 

 

DAMS (http://www.amalgam.org ; ph:800-311-6265; dams@usfamily.net

 

Mercury Free Dentist list and Detox MDs http://www.flcv.com/FlMFD&MD.html

 

 

 

GSDL Medical Lab MD list & info(http://www.gdx.net )

 

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine(http://www.aaem.com )

 

 

BioProbe Faq Sheet: http://www.bioprobe.com/faq.asp

Protocols for Replacing Amalgam

 

 

IAOMT (Dental Association) http://www.iaomt.org & http://www.altcorp.com/amalgremove.htm

 

Dr. Richard Hansen, Protocols http://www.mercuryfilling.com/

 

http://www.dentalwellness4u.com/layperson/resources.html

[Lovedtodeath]

I believed the dentist and both of my children have silver fillings.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I believed the dentist and both of my children have silver fillings.

 

 

I believed my dentist, too. I also believe my insurance company, which won't pay for composite unless needed for a front tooth. For back teeth, they only pay for amalgam (but I am allowed to pay the difference for composite).

 

There's a lot of hoopla over supposed risks of amalgam fillings, but the fear is unfounded (unproven). My dentist prefers amalgam because they're more durable. I believe him because I've had to replace several composite fillings that were coming unbonded. I've had several amalgam fillings for more than 30 years and have never had to replace one. I have never had a problem with any of my amalgam fillings. My son has never had problems with his amalgam fillings either.

 

I believe that dentists are making a lot of money by replacing perfectly good amalgam fillings with composite. Then, they're making more money because the composite fillings will need to be redone in about 7-10 years (the average life of a composite filling). The average life of an amalgam filling is 20-30 years. These statistics have shown true in my mouth.

 

Be glad that you have a dentist that isn't trying to oversell you with fear tactics. Get the amalgam and don't give it a second thought. You'll be fine.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Dh has 10x the mercury in his body than is safe. This has been shown from metabolic testing (testing of his hair and his tissues). He has constant infections and is now diabetic as a result. His fillings (which he has a lot of) are old and crumbling. He had one removed and had a very dramatic change for the better in his health. We are trying to find the money for him to have more removed. Do we believe that it is a problem for everyone? No. But we will not get amalgam fillings for our children.

[Peela]

There is no safe level of mercury for the body. Amalgums are mixtures of metals, and they contain mercury. Over time, they leak minute amounts of mercury into the system.

Possibly some systems excrete that mercury more efficiently than others.

Just because you have no immediate symptoms doesnt mean you are not being affected by the mercury over the long term. Mercury poison is common in our society, from various sources, including fillings.

 

Better be safe than sorry on this one. I would not put mercury in my kids' mouths. Dh and i have had ours removed professionally.

 

No dentist every encouraged us to do that. We specifically went to dentists who do it professionally though, with a rubber dam.

We also go to dentists who use composite regularly/exclusively.

 

Dentists, like doctors, are taught what they are taught in college. Thats it. If you think there are no vested interests helping to give them their training, you are naive. Take responsiblity yourself, do the research yourself.

Edited July 6, 2010 by Peela

[Lovedtodeath]

But they blantantly say that fillings no longer contain any mercury. They would have to be awfully ignorant, lied to or lying themselves.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Googling even large companies like Colgate still shows that amalgam contains mercury. There is controversy over whether that mercury can cause harm but I saw no controversy over whether it was actually used in this type of filling.

[Lovedtodeath]

Well that is just great. My kids have enough autistic traits as it is and I trusted them to be telling me the truth when they said that their silver fillings do not contain mercury.:glare:I will be asking again, though I don't know what I can do about it now. :cry:

[Jean in Newcastle]

Well that is just great. My kids have enough autistic traits as it is and I trusted them to be telling me the truth when they said that their silver fillings do not contain mercury.:glare:I will be asking again, though I don't know what I can do about it now. :cry:

 

Is it in their baby teeth or permanent teeth?

[KidsHappen]

Any dentist that is telling you that the silver amalgam fillings do not contain mercury is either a complete idiot or a telling you a bald face lie. I do not allow silver fillings in my children's mouths and I do have to pay extra because me insurance doesn't cover composite. I would not trust this dentist and would look for another one.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Dh has 10x the mercury in his body than is safe. This has been shown from metabolic testing (testing of his hair and his tissues). He has constant infections and is now diabetic as a result. His fillings (which he has a lot of) are old and crumbling. He had one removed and had a very dramatic change for the better in his health. We are trying to find the money for him to have more removed. Do we believe that it is a problem for everyone? No. But we will not get amalgam fillings for our children.

 

 

I'm curious. How did you remove the mercury from ds's body, allowing him to get better? It is my understanding that mercury, once present in the body, can't be removed. That's one of the main concerns about mercury poisoning. I'm confused then about how removing a filling will improve one's health. I understand that it might prevent more mercury from leaching into his system. But, I don't understand how it can make him better?

 

I also don't understand how the fillings can be "safely" removed. Drilling on the filling will cause minute particles of the material to be emitted into the air, and onto the tongue and other oral tissues. A rubber dam might prevent chunks of the material from falling into the throat, but it won't prevent the dust being inhaled, or absorbed through the oral tissue. It seems that keeping the mercury locked up in a filling would be at least as safe as vaporizing it with a drill.

[Mommamia]

Ugh! My son is in tooth pain and needs a filling(root pulpotomy?) and a crown soon. I have found a short list of mercury dentists in our area, but trying to get this all done quickly has caused me anxiety. I'm armed with my list, but all the offices are closed.:tongue_smilie:

 

I've heard that putting in a composite filling needs to be done under strict conditions. Something about the area needing to be dry or infection can be trapped? I also heard that composite fillings can be endocrine disruptors. Double Ugh. It's like we all are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[KidsHappen]

Is it in their baby teeth or permanent teeth?

 

The mercury gets into your blood stream and because systemic. A professiona can remove them very carefully with minimal damage whereas leaving them in causes permanant outgasing of the merury. There is method of removing mercury from the body but it is usually not covered by insurance unless it is severe,

[Peela]

I'm curious. How did you remove the mercury from ds's body, allowing him to get better? It is my understanding that mercury, once present in the body, can't be removed. That's one of the main concerns about mercury poisoning. I'm confused then about how removing a filling will improve one's health. I understand that it might prevent more mercury from leaching into his system. But, I don't understand how it can make him better?

 

I also don't understand how the fillings can be "safely" removed. Drilling on the filling will cause minute particles of the material to be emitted into the air, and onto the tongue and other oral tissues. A rubber dam might prevent chunks of the material from falling into the throat, but it won't prevent the dust being inhaled, or absorbed through the oral tissue. It seems that keeping the mercury locked up in a filling would be at least as safe as vaporizing it with a drill.

 

Mercury cannot easily be removed from the body, but it can be removed. There are various substances that are recommended to be taken, such as large doses of vitamin C, when getting amalgums removed. There is also a more medical regime for those with "official" mercury poisoning. It is understood that a rubber dam will stop a large amount of the mercury fro being ingested, but yes, some is inhaled.

 

I use a natural product and I had my kids tested a hie back, and both turned up mercury positive. Since they don eat fish, and dont have mercury amalgams, I don't know where it came from, but both have been partially vaccinated, so it might be that.

After a while on this rather inexpensive product, both of them tested mercury negative. So, I presume it worked! I myself had amalgams removed a few months ago and I took this stuff afterwards, as my body is sensitive to Vitamin C andI cant take large doses.

 

As for composite being a big deal...all the dentists around here use it. Not exclusively, but they will if asked. I think it is more for vanity nowadays, that peopel are asking for it, but at least it is available. I go to a dentist that uses it exclusively though, because I prefer his ethical standpoint not to put mercury into people's mouths.

I really dont think composite is a big deal. I tihnk it does tend to break down a little quicker and sometimes needs to be replaced, but mine never have. I would prefer that anyway to having mercury in my mouth.

[Mommamia]

I found a mercury free dentist! We have an appointment tomorrow. They said that they do not use any amalgam in their office. I hope I'm making the right decision. Now we have to go back to the other dentist and get our x-rays back:tongue_smilie:

[Lovedtodeath]

Good question Jean. I am pretty sure it is in their baby teeth.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm curious. How did you remove the mercury from ds's body, allowing him to get better? It is my understanding that mercury, once present in the body, can't be removed. That's one of the main concerns about mercury poisoning. I'm confused then about how removing a filling will improve one's health. I understand that it might prevent more mercury from leaching into his system. But, I don't understand how it can make him better?

 

I also don't understand how the fillings can be "safely" removed. Drilling on the filling will cause minute particles of the material to be emitted into the air, and onto the tongue and other oral tissues. A rubber dam might prevent chunks of the material from falling into the throat, but it won't prevent the dust being inhaled, or absorbed through the oral tissue. It seems that keeping the mercury locked up in a filling would be at least as safe as vaporizing it with a drill.

 

He went to a special dentist (environmental dentist). His tooth was totally removed - not drilled into so minute particles were not being released. He had it removed so that it would not continue to leach mercury in to his system but also because it was seriously cracked. He also has pockets of infection that have gotten into the jaw bone so that is a source, not of mercury, but of toxins to the body.

 

He has a list of fish to avoid and is undergoing a detox regimen much like Peela described.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Good question Jean. I am pretty sure it is in their baby teeth.

 

If it is in their baby teeth I wouldn't worry so much. After all, they will have them "removed" in due time.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

He went to a special dentist (environmental dentist). His tooth was totally removed - not drilled into so minute particles were not being released. He had it removed so that it would not continue to leach mercury in to his system but also because it was seriously cracked. He also has pockets of infection that have gotten into the jaw bone so that is a source, not of mercury, but of toxins to the body.

 

He has a list of fish to avoid and is undergoing a detox regimen much like Peela described.

 

 

Thanks, Jean, for taking the time to explain. I'm glad he's better, and I hope he is well soon.

 

Blessings,

Suzanne

[Lovedtodeath]

which I am frankly shocked to hear are still available.

and apparently preferred! I am so confused!:confused: