Most of us have had a cavity at some point in our lives. Many of us still have amalgam fillings from when we were a child. Dental fillings are the recommended treatment by dentists to remove tooth decay and seal the area from preventing further damage to the tooth structure. Choosing a Biological and Holistic dental approach in San Antonio for your mercury free dental fillings ensures a safe way to repair and strengthen your teeth as well as keep you whole body healthy.
Dental Filling Material
Have you ever wondered what dental fillings are made of? Great question! Not all dental filling material is created equal. It’s important for you to understand and feel comfortable with the choices you have for your dental filling before proceeding with the treatment.
There are generally two options that dentists use when replacing a cavity- Mercury, also known as amalgam or silver fillings and composite, also known as white fillings.
Mercury Dental Fillings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines amalgam as a mixture of different types of metals including tin, silver, copper, and sometimes zinc and liquid mercury. This mixture is about 50% mercury. Amalgam was originally used by dentists because it is strong, long lasting, and very low cost. But today we know that amalgam fillings have serious and long lasting health risks. Research done by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology has shown that risks associated with amalgam fillings include allergies, Alzheimer’s Disease, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, hearing loss, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Periodontal disease. Many of these studies have been done on pregnant women showing that exposure to mercury during pregnancy can result in low birth weight, premature delivery, and neurodevelopmental delays.
Learn more facts about the toxicity of mercury at: https://iaomt.org/resources/dental-mercury-facts/
What Are Composite Fillings?
So if not mercury, then what? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dentists use a composite resin that is non toxic and made of a holistic material, also called white fillings. This composite filling material is a great choice as well for a natural looking filling that blends seamlessly with your existing tooth and is durable, can fix cracks, chips, and other imperfections. Because they are durable, they can repair worn teeth and change their shape. This filling material is considered one of the safest dental fillings available for dentists to use. At Nautical Dental, in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Cornelius provides safe high-quality composite dental fillings. Schedule an appointment and get started today.
Advantages of Composite Fillings:
Because composite dental fillings have so many uses, they come with a wide selection of advantages:
- Bonds to existing teeth. Fillings provide extra strength, durability, and protection for the teeth. Composite resin fillings are custom-craft and bond to the natural tooth.
- Fix chips and cracks. Composite dental fillings can fix chips, cracks, and other imperfections in the teeth. Because they are a natural color and set quickly, fillings are ideal for repairing visible teeth.
- Fillings are repairable. Dr. Cornelius can remove and restore composite fillings as you desire. You’ll never have to worry about permanent damage done to your teeth like mercury staining. If your fillings do break or become damaged in any way, they can be cleaned and repaired.
- Quick and effective. Composite fillings harden within seconds. Dr. Cornelius uses a UV type of light that solidifies the bonding agent to build an imperishable shield on the tooth. With proper care, composite fillings can last many years.
I Want my Mercury Fillings Removed!
What should I do? Great question! Now that you have learned about the dangers of mercury and the potentially related health issues you may be exposed to, the next steps are to find a Biologic and Holistic dentist that is trained on the SMART PROTOCOL. SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. This method has been approved by the IAOMT to protect the dentist (they need to stay safe from exposure too!) the assistant, and you, the patient from breathing in ANY mercury vapors that are released during the mercury amalgam removal. Dr. Cornelius is trained and fully compliant with this technique in his office. Remember that there is NO SAFE LEVEL of mercury you can be exposed to.
Am I a Good Candidate for Mercury Removal?
Dr. Cornelius will work closely with your functional medicine doctor to prepare you for the best outcome. If you are healthy, you may be able to proceed immediately with the mercury removal. However, if you are already experiencing many effects from the mercury toxins in your body, you may need to go through a rigorous protocol to prepare your body for the mercury detox as well as after the removal of the mercury. Don’t have a functional medicine doctor? Ask Dr. Cornelius for a recommendation as he has had to personally work through his own mercury detox after having his fillings removed and having worked so closely with mercury in dentistry for decades.
Safe Mercury Removal In San Antonio, Texas
With Dr. Cornelius your whole body health is always the focus. He is committed to a lifetime of learning and always bringing his patients new knowledge and technology that will help improve their dental health as well as their overall well being.
🦷 Call (210)-529-7837 now or schedule online to discover the difference of biological dentistry in San Antonio.
Dr. Cornelius, DDS, MAGD
Biological & Holistic Dentistry | San Antonio, TX
Whole body. Whole health. Whole healing.