Info on Amalgam Removal
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:05 pm
should be rubber dam, some kind of breathing apparatus that fits over
your face so that you breathe from an area away from your face and
the vapors of what is being removed, and eye glasses, at minimum
if you don't have any symptoms after the removal there is nothing to
treat, in my opinion
Much on my webpage -
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/amalgam.htm
(which I need to update)
Here is one link where you can search for mercury-free dentists.
MUCH HERE
http://www.talkinternational.com/
http://www.talkinternational.com/health/checklist.htm
Checklist for safe dental care
(I didn't do #2 - compatibility testing - I think it is expensive, but
don't know)
http://www.holisticdental.org/
Holistic Dental Association
http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/dentist.htm
How To Find A Dentist
To Remove Mercury Amalgams Safely
Amalgam Removal Protocol
http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/iaomt.htm
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
Protocol for Mercury/Silver Filling Removal 1
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.
1. Keep the fillings cool
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. Use a high volume evacuator
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. Provide an alternative air source
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. Immediately dispose of the mercury alloy
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. Lavage, and change gloves
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 clean patient
Immediately change patient's protective wear and clean their face.
7. Consider nutritional support
Consider appropriate nutritional support before, during and after removal.
8. Keep room air pure
Install room air purifiers or ionizers and fans for everyone's well being.
STAFF PROTECTION
OSHA4 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 MAC6. 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.
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 m
g/M3 have been measured 18" from the drill when used high dry. Levels over
1000 m g/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.
One out of 7 California dental offices tested over the OSHA TWA of 50 m g/M
3 . 100% of the vacuum cleaner exhaust tested over 100 m g/M 3 . 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
REFERENCES
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
*******
http://www.holisticdentalnetwork.com/
I did NOT do all the things under that protocol (that seems EXTREME to
me)- maybe necessary (especially if very sensitive), maybe not.
I did fine having a dental dam to collect all stuff, breathing air thru
mask and tube - air from away from my mouth, eyeshields.
I had no problem. But I'm sure if you are extremely sensitive could have
more difficulty.
What I did is the basics above. You'll have to decide........not sure all
dentists who do mercury removal do this protocol although Huggins is one of
the intiators of all of this.
------------------------------------------
Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath
http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com/ &
http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/
ONLINE/Email classes in Homeopathy; Vaccine Dangers; Childhood Diseases
Next classes start February 24 & 25
your face so that you breathe from an area away from your face and
the vapors of what is being removed, and eye glasses, at minimum
if you don't have any symptoms after the removal there is nothing to
treat, in my opinion
Much on my webpage -
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/amalgam.htm
(which I need to update)
Here is one link where you can search for mercury-free dentists.
MUCH HERE
http://www.talkinternational.com/
http://www.talkinternational.com/health/checklist.htm
Checklist for safe dental care
(I didn't do #2 - compatibility testing - I think it is expensive, but
don't know)
http://www.holisticdental.org/
Holistic Dental Association
http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/dentist.htm
How To Find A Dentist
To Remove Mercury Amalgams Safely
Amalgam Removal Protocol
http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/mercury/iaomt.htm
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
Protocol for Mercury/Silver Filling Removal 1
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.
1. Keep the fillings cool
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. Use a high volume evacuator
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. Provide an alternative air source
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. Immediately dispose of the mercury alloy
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. Lavage, and change gloves
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 clean patient
Immediately change patient's protective wear and clean their face.
7. Consider nutritional support
Consider appropriate nutritional support before, during and after removal.
8. Keep room air pure
Install room air purifiers or ionizers and fans for everyone's well being.
STAFF PROTECTION
OSHA4 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 MAC6. 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.
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 m
g/M3 have been measured 18" from the drill when used high dry. Levels over
1000 m g/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.
One out of 7 California dental offices tested over the OSHA TWA of 50 m g/M
3 . 100% of the vacuum cleaner exhaust tested over 100 m g/M 3 . 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
REFERENCES
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
*******
http://www.holisticdentalnetwork.com/
I did NOT do all the things under that protocol (that seems EXTREME to
me)- maybe necessary (especially if very sensitive), maybe not.
I did fine having a dental dam to collect all stuff, breathing air thru
mask and tube - air from away from my mouth, eyeshields.
I had no problem. But I'm sure if you are extremely sensitive could have
more difficulty.
What I did is the basics above. You'll have to decide........not sure all
dentists who do mercury removal do this protocol although Huggins is one of
the intiators of all of this.
------------------------------------------
Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath
http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com/ &
http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/
ONLINE/Email classes in Homeopathy; Vaccine Dangers; Childhood Diseases
Next classes start February 24 & 25