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Dr. Marvin
Center For Natural Dentistry
www.naturaldentistry.us
888-825-5351
Protocol for Mercury/Silver Filling Removal[1]
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
Patient protection:
First in every concerned doctor’s mind is the protection of the
patient from additional exposure to mercury. This is especially true of
the mercury toxic patient. The mercury toxic patient may have been exposed
to varying amounts of mercury from diet, environment, employment or from
mercury/silver dental fillings. All forms are cumulative and can
contribute to the body burden. The goal of this preferred procedure is to
minimize any additional exposure of the patient, ourselves, or staff to
mercury.
During chewing the patient is exposed to intraoral levels which are
several times the EPA allowable air concentration.[2] During the removal or
placement of amalgam the patient can be exposed to amounts which are a
thousand times greater than the EPA allowable concentration.[3] Once the
drill touches the filling temperature increases immediately vaporizing the
mercury component of the alloy. There are 8 steps to greatly reducing
everyone’s exposure.
Step one Keep the fillings cool
1) All removal must be done under cold water spray with copious
amounts of water. Once the removal has begun, the mercury
vapor will be continuously released from the tooth.
2) Therefore, A high volume evacuator tip should be kept near the
tooth (1/2 inch) at all times to evacuate this vapor from the
area of the patient. Polishing amalgam can create very dangerous
levels of mercury and should be avoided especially for the
mercury toxic patient.
3) All patients having amalgam removed or placed should be provided
with an alternative air source and instructed to not breathe
through their mouth during treatment. A nasal hood such as is
used with the nitrous oxide analgesia equipment is excellent.
Air is best and oxygen is acceptable although not required. If
just air is used it should be clean and free of mercury vapor
preferably from outside the dental office.
4) Particles of mercury alloy should be washed and vacuumed away as
soon as they are generated. The filling should be sectioned and
removed in large pieces to reduce exposure.
At present the International Academy of Oral Medicine and
Toxicology (IAOMT) has approved removal both with and without
the use of a rubber dam. Some evidence exist to support both
views since high levels of mercury and amalgam particles can
be found under the dam. All members are agreed that whether or
not a rubber dam is used the patient should be instructed to
not breathe through their mouth or swallow the particles.
Some experts feel that it is better to remove the amalgam first
and then apply the dam if needed for restorative procedures.
5) After the fillings have been removed, take off the rubber dam
if one was used and lavage the patients mouth for at least 30
seconds with cold water and vacuum. Remove your gloves and
replace them with a new pair. If a restorative procedure is
next then reapply a new dam and proceed.
6) Immediately change patients protective wear and clean their face.
7) Consider appropriate nutritional support before, during and
after removal.
8) Install room air purifiers or ionizers and fans for everyone’s
well being.
Staff protection
OSHA [4,5] requires that employees be given written informed consent
before the use of any toxic chemicals of which mercury is one. Elemental
mercury vapor is one of the most toxic forms of mercury and should not
breathed. Women of child bearing age should be exposed to no more than 10%
of the OSHA MAC [6]. Women who are pregnant should be exposed to no
mercury.[7] If you use mercury or remove mercury in any form the National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that
your employees be medically monitored annually.
9) Any mercury exposure requires that the employee wear an approved
mercury filter mask. An approved mask is appropriate for
wearing during all dental procedures which will expose you or
your staff to mercury.[8]
The manner in which dentists operate their equipment dramatically
affects the amount of mercury released. Never drill on mercury high dry.
It is hazardous to you, your staff, and your patient. Levels as high as
4000 mg/M3 have been measured 18″ from the drill when used high dry. Levels
over 1000 mg/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.
One out of 7 California dental offices tested over the OSHA TWA of
50 mg/M3. 100% of the vacuum cleaner exhaust tested over 100 mg/M3. Any
office where mercury is used should be tested regularly and staff should be
monitored for exposure. Testing services are available and a mercury sensor
badge is available for personnel monitoring. They should test inside
storage areas and along baseboards where mercury might have dropped. Office
spills can go undetected for years and are extremely hazardous.
The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology protocol
committee seeking submissions to the Standards of Care Protocol/Preferred
Procedures. We are particularly concerned and interested in detoxification.
A one page self explanatory form is in the meeting packet.
1 IAOMT Standards of Care Preferred Procedure Approved 9/27/92
2 EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Health
and Environment Assessment Mercury health effects update Final
Report EPA-600/8-84-019F 1971 EPA
3 Cooley RL, Barkmeier WW: Mercury vapor emitted during ultraspeed
cutting of amalgam. J Indiana Dent Assoc 57:28-31, 1978
4 OSHA Job Health Series: Mercury.(2234)8/1975
5 Hazard Communication Program Federal Register/ Vol. 52. No. 163 /
Monday, August 24, 1987
6 OSHA MAC is Threshold Limit Value of 100 micrograms/ cubic meter or
100 PPM This is a never to be exceeded standard.
7 Koos BJ and Lango LD , Mercury Toxicity in the pregnant woman,
fetus, and newborn infant. A review Am J Obstetrics and Gynecology
126(3):390-409, 1976
8 Mine Safety Association high levels and 3M mercury dust mask lower
levels