There are dentists who practice safe amalgam removal by isolating the teeth that contain amalgam fillings and ensuring that you are not exposed to amalgam material or vapor. What’s the issue with mercury vapor? According to the National Poison Control Center, if mercury vapor is inhaled, it quickly gets into your bloodstream and spreads to your organs. That concerns many people. For that reason, many dentists who practice safe amalgam removal adhere to at least several of the steps below:
- Isolate the tooth as the amalgam filling is removed
- Provide pure oxygen for you to breathe in during the process
- Break up the fillings into pieces
- Use high-speed vacuum to suction out the amalgam fillings
- Rinse your mouth with a solution to which any amalgam filling particles will adhere
