Patient Protection: during removal of mercury fillings

Protection of the patient from additional exposure to mercury is of the utmost concern during the removal of mercury fillings. This is especially true of the mercury toxic patient. The goal of this procedure is to minimize any additional exposure of the patient, ourselves, or staff to mercury.

In the removal and replacement of mercury fillings, I follow the protocols recommended by the British Society for Mercury Free Dentistry and the IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology).

Briefly, these include the following precautions:

• Isolation of the treatment area, usually by a technique known as 'rubber dam'
• Use of high-speed, water-cooled instruments
• Filtration of air for mercury, using a dedicated scavenger unit - We are the first Practice in the country to use the mobile IQ Air mercury filtration system which has undergone extensive clinical trials
• Use of a nosepiece, to provide an air source out of the immediate area
• Use of general protective coverings
• Nutritional support considerations, to support the immune system