Safe Amalgam Removal in Granada Hills

Amalgam fillings, popular in older dentistry practices, are outdated due to current dental technology. In modern dentistry,more natural-looking composite materials have replaced the need for amalgam for dental use. Amalgam is a silver-colored material that shines and stands out when a patient smiles with it in his or her fillings.

Aside from having a poor esthetic quality about them, amalgam fillings contain a great deal of mercury; some are made up of more than 50% mercury. The mercury in these amalgam fillings is broken down and released into the body over time. While the debate over whether or not the absorbed mercury vapor is enough to be considered a health risk, there are some who strongly believe it to be dangerous to continue wearing in the teeth.

At Smile Arts Dentistry, we are happy to offer a safe and comfortable amalgam filling removal procedure to help you move on from your old dental work and replace them with something more modern. Because the mercury in amalgam fillings is toxic if absorbed into the body, Dr. Firooz has many safeguards to protect you from mercury poisoning. The mercury is quickly released as vapor when exposed to too much heat, so Dr. Firooz takes precaution by cooling the drill with water and air. A suction system vacuums up the remaining mercury vapor and amalgam particles, so you don't accidentally breathe them in. Once the amalgam filling is removed, your mouth will be immediately cleaned to ensure it is mercury-free.

Even with these safety precautions, it is possible that having your amalgam fillings removed if you have any diseases or symptoms related to mercury poisoning, if you are allergic to mercury, or if you have a dysfunctional immune system could cause more harm. It is important to tell Dr. Firooz if any of these apply to you before your amalgam filling removal can proceed. Once your amalgam fillings have been removed, you'll need to replace it with one that won't be hazardous to your health. With dental composite fillings, you'll not only have a mercury-filling;you'll have one that will match the color of your teeth. Composites are types of synthetic resins used as restorative material in dentistry.

Composite fillings can be made in a wide range of shades and colors, allowing Dr. Firooz to find a match to your exact tooth color. In other words, your filling will blend right in with the rest of your teeth as if it wasn't even there. Composite fillings also bond to the teeth better. Unlike amalgam fillings which just fill a hole and hold in place with retention, composite restorations with dental and enamel bonding can restore your tooth to near-perfect original integrity. For more information about the removal process and details about mercury-free fillings, call our office.