Safe Amalgam Removal
We protect our patients and our team.
Our office is Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) Certified
The SMART protocol, short for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, is a meticulously designed procedure aimed at minimizing exposure to mercury vapors while removing mercury-based amalgam fillings. By implementing a series of precautionary steps, such as pre-treatment rinses with activated charcoal, rubber dam isolation, clean air delivery through nasal masks, high-volume air suction, ionizer protection, and the use of protective garments and drapes, SMART ensures the safety of both patients and clinicians during the removal process. Additionally, the protocol incorporates in-office air purifiers and a mercury separator to further mitigate the release of mercury particulates into the environment, safeguarding the overall well-being of all individuals involved in the procedure.
What is dental mercury?
Often called “silver fillings,” all dental amalgams comprise 45-55% metallic mercury.
What is SMART?
Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) is a protocol developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) to safely remove amalgam fillings and reduce mercury exposure to patients, doctors, and clinical staff.
Why SMART?
When an amalgam filling is drilled, mercury particles can be aerated into the air surrounding the patient and clinicians. If breathed in, these particles can be distributed throughout the body. The SMART protocol works to reduce exposure to mercury vapors.
How SMART works:
After a consult with one of our doctors, a personalized treatment plan can be created to map out the removal of your amalgam fillings. On the day of your removal, the following steps are performed:
1. Pre-treatment and post-treatment rinse with an activated charcoal.
2. A rubber dam (vinyl) isolates the tooth and prevents mercury particles from interacting with oral tissues.
3. Clean, mercury-free air is delivered via a nasal mask to prevent the inhalation of mercury particulates.
4. A high-volume external air suction is used to ensure the removal of any mercury particulates or vapors.
5. An ionizer protects dental staff and patients from harmful mercury vapors associated with mercury-based amalgam fillings.
6. Protective garments and paper drapes protect the patient, dentist, and clinical staff.
7. In-office air purifiers remove mercury particulates from the immediate surroundings.
8. A mercury separator collects particles from being released into the environment.
“European Parliament representatives and the Belgian EU presidency clinched a political deal (8 February) on rules to ban the use of dental amalgam from the beginning of next year.
Current rules forbid the use of amalgam for treating children under 15 years old and pregnant or breastfeeding women. This prohibition will be extended to every EU citizen once the political deal is formally approved by the Parliament and EU ministers in the coming weeks.”