Hi Pamster,
It is not difficult to remove the fillings, but it is imperative that the proper protocol be followed before, during and after the removal.

The pre op protocol is based on the individual needs of the patient and is usually prescribed by an Integrative Physician who is well versed in the toxicity of mercury. It can include various types of modalities, but always involves certain nutritional and herbal supplements to help the immune system protect the organs, etc. The nutritional and chelation protocol is carried out throughout the removal process and beyond depending on the individual needs.

During the actual removal in the dental chair, the dentist and assistant provide the patient and themselves with specific protection to minimize the exposure to the mercury vaoprs. This should include: Isolation of the tooth/teeth being worked on with a rubber damn or an Isolite; A high speed suction is held directly over the tooth/teeth being worked on; The patient is placed on oxygen; The room has a special air filtration system to draw out mercury vapors and replace good air flow back into the room; The dentist and assistant wear facial protection and often a mask that resembles a gas mask. All of these things are necessary to help avoid unnecessary exposure of mercury pieces and vapors to anyone in the room.

If possible, it is generally best to work on one quadrant of the mouth at each visit because it will take less anesthetic injections and less visits, than if you were to have one tooth done at a time.

Generally a patient will see their Integrative Physician and be on their preop protocol for about 4-12 weeks prior to having their first removal. They come into the dental office for the removal and replacement fillings and then see their Integrative physician sometime later that same day for chelation therapy to help mop up any residual mercury vapors that got into their system. There are various forms of chelation therapy and that choice is individualized according to the patients needs. It can be oral, transdermal, rectal suppositories or intravenous.

Replacement options of those mercury fillings is yet another issue. Generally, a biocompatible acrylic material (tooth colored) is used. However, if there is alot of natural tooth structure missing, then the tooth would require some type of an onlay or crown. High noble metal such as gold can be used, but
for people who are sensitive to metals or who do not like the appearance of them, they can request restorations made from zirconium.

Another issue that can arise is the possibility of losing some of the teeth that have mercury fillings in them. Mercury is temperature sensitive, so there is alot of expansion and contraction with these type fillings which cause cracks to form in the surrounding tooth structure. They also generally have leaky margins from corrosion as they age, making the likelihood of decay underneath them a good possibility. So if during the removal, the decay is found to be into the nerve, then the only options are root canal or extraction. Also, anytime a tooth is drilled into, there is a chance of traumatizing the nerve which could be either a temporary condition or permanent. If it is permanent, then the options again are root canal or extraction.

It is best to seek a consultation with a Biological Dentist who is well versed in the issue of mercury toxicity and who is familiar and practices the proper removal protocol. It can be done very safely and with little exposure to anyone. Here is a website that lists by state some dentists are equipped to remove mercury fillings properly.

http://www.talkinternational.com/dir...ts-global.html

http://mercuryfreedentists.com/

http://www.iabdm.org/

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please keep in mind that the majority of adult americans have mercury in their mouths. Does this mean it's ok to be there, no. It just means that you are not alone and as the consumer becomes more aware of the toxicity of mercury, the more familiar dentists will become with removing it properly.

Let us know if you have further questions that we may be able to help with

Bryanna