When performing mercury free dental treatment one aspires to make sure that the prevention and treatment is not harmful for either patients, dentists, or staff.
This includes total absence of toxic or any kind of harmful substances in the dental treatment. Moreover, the treatment that is used has naturally prophylactic abilities. In mercury free dental treatment, a holistic point of view is adopted as a natural consequence of the fact that the oral cavity and the teeth are extremely important bodily organs and that stress and damage to the the teeth and oral cavity therefore can cause damage to other body systems as well.
Scientific documentation
The fact that amalgam fillings can have stressful effects on the immune system has been thoroughly examined on humans in a direct examination. An examination called Coor's study included 35 healthy volunteers. The study which is named after the Coor family was financed by private fundings so that it would be guaranteed independence of any conflicting interests, as those of dental practitioners and medical industries for example, which might have influenced the results.
Blood samples were collected before and after the removal of amalgam fillings. First the subjects had their old amalgam fillings replaced by plastic fillings. After this, plastic fillings were removed and again replaced by amalgam in the same teeth as treated before, and finally the new amalgam fillings were again removed and replaced by plastic inlay. Following each treatment samples were collected to test the reaction of the white and red blood cells and any change in number (blood count) that might arise from the procedure. Other available variables as changes in blood cholesterol, kidney- and liver function, and others were also measured.
From the results, the investigators were able to conclude that amalgam fillings had measurable effects on both blood chemistry, kidney- and liver function, and several other important body functions, influencing the biochemistry of important body organs and tissues in a negative direction.
The damaging effects of mercury from amalgam fillings on the kidney and the resulting decay in kidney function of both animals and humans has been documented in another scientific investigation, independent of the Coor's study. In addition to this, mercury has negative effects on all body functions, organs, and tissues. Mercury from amalgam fillings can damage the liver, glands, central nervous system, heart ect. Dental mercury poisoning may therefore very well be the prime cause of a number of diseases, genetic defects, and symptoms that are common in the western world, and are therefore only treated symptomatically or not treated at all.
Symptoms of amalgam poisoning may be present in all body system, and the list of symptoms is therefore very long. The following constitute the most familiar: Anxiety, bleeding of the gums, depression, impairment of memory, anaesthesia, headaches, irritability, sensations of metallic taste in the mouth, cramps, paralyzation, low metabolic rate, feebleness, difficulties concentrating, pains of the joints and muscles, gastro-intestinal complications, prickling, tingling, and shaking of the fingers and hands, low blood sugar, fungal infections, no commitment, tiredness, exhaustion, and suicidal thoughts.
In women, the symptoms of stress on the body systems brought about by amalgam poisoning are most obvious during the period of menstruation. Some have very strong reactions to amalgam fillings, some have milder reactions. If any of the symptoms mentioned above are present on a regular basis, one should consider having one's amalgam fillings removed and replaced by other materials, preferentially plastic. This treatment should take place during a period of at least a few months. The removal of amalgam fillings is able to reduce the symptoms seen before treatment with 80 - 90%, and generally improve the quality of life. On the other hand, if the amalgam removal does not take place under conditions of great insight and consideration, for example without a proceeding examination, diagnosis, immuno-stimulating treament, following the correct order of replacements, or by using other biologically active materials, the consequences can be injurious to the health. 20 - 50% of all peolpe who receive amalgam replacement experience symptoms known as after pains. These are dominated by increased sensitivity of the teeth to cold and sweet sensations and to pressure. These pains decrease progressively and will often be totally absent within 3 months of treatment.
General malaise is also common during the period of amalgam removals. This is completely normal, and only a sign that the body is detoxifying itself; getting rid of the mercury accumulated in organs and tissues.
Materials
Ceramic materials and gold are preferred for their strength and endurance and are considered to be the best alternatives to amalgam. However, these fillings are more difficult and expensive to make, and other metallic inlay - especially metallic porcelain - can be problematic for some people, as one has to keep in mind that amalgam poisoning is a combinatorial condition caused by intoxication with mercury, tin, copper, and silver.
Crowns, bridges, or dentures should always be made from tissue-friendly materials in a dental lab. Some dentists take tests to determine which inlay is most biologically acceptable for the individual patient; that is materials to which the given patient does not respond in any harmful way.
In cases of uncertainty, the dentist will sometimes prepare test samples of the different materials in question and have these tested against tissue samples from the patient to gain a measure of bio-compatibility. Experiences with tissue-friendly plastic materials have shown that, if handled correctly, plastic is actually more durable than amalgam as filling material, since plastic will not burst in the way that amalgam does following trauma or simply because of tear and wear. Plastic can be used for all sizes of fillings and remodelling, although the procedure requires special dental equipment and skilled assistance.
Newer plastic materials are supported by a crystallic structure instead of being composed of small grains supplying the material with great wearability and tensile strenght, approaching that of the natural enamel of the teeth.
Plastic fillings are more expensive than silver-amalgam fillings because of the higher cost of the material and the fact that it takes two to three times longer to construct a plastic filling.
In the long run, it might actually proove to be cheaper to have your fillings made with plastic than with amalgam because of the greater durability of the inlay. The dentist will often reserve at least a whole hour for the removal and replacement of one single amalgam filling. Many dentists offer warrantees of 1 - 5 years of duration on plastic fillings.
Metal allergics
People who are allergic to mercury will experience general malaise during the weeks it takes for the body to detoxify itself after each removal and replacement of an amalgam filling. They should therefore make sure to avoid any medical or natural remedy capable of potentiating the detoxification of mercury since they will aggravate the allergic symptoms.
