A single dental amalgam filling with a surface area of only 0.4cm is estimated to release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day primarily through mechanical wear and evaporation. The average individual has eight amalgam fillings and could absorb up to 120micrograms of mercury per day from their amalgams. These levels are consistent with reports of 60micrograms of mercury per day collected in human faeces.

By way of contrast, estimates of the daily absorption of all forms of mercury from fish and seafood is 2.3 micrograms and from all other foods, air and water is 0.3 micrograms per day.

The mercury vapour from the amalgams is lipid soluble and passes readily through cell membranes and across the blood brain barrier. It is scientifically clear that amalgam mercury transfers to human tissues, accumulates with time, and presents a potential health threat.

Amalgams are made up of 50% mercury which is not locked into the filling but rather, the mercury escapes continuously during the entire life of the filling in the forms of vapour, ions and abraded particles via chewing, brushing, and the intake of hot fluids stimulates this release. The absorption rate of inhaled mercury vapour is extremely high, with approximately 80% of the inhaled dose reaching the brain tissue within one blood circulation cycle. Mercury, once in the nervous system, stays there permanently, unless it is detoxified.

Mercury Toxicity Symptoms

The overt clinical effects resulting from toxic exposure to mercury have been clearly described. The scientific literature shows that amalgam fillings have been associated with a variety of problems such as autoimmunity, kidney dysfunction, and interference with the immune system, fatigue, poor memory and certain psychological disorders. Patients with many amalgam fillings will also have an increase in the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and increased likelihood of infertility.

Intracellular mercury can cause chronic fatigue, cancer and learning disabilities. Extracellular symptoms of mercury toxicity include: CNS irritability, anxiety, nervousness, fearfulness, emotional instability, loss of self-confidence and shyness. In adolescents, these symptoms are particularly damaging as they impair one’s normal social development. Additional symptoms may include: loss of memory, especially room-to-room memory, impaired concentration, and insomnia. Mercury toxicity will also tend to cause hypothyroidism. Additionally, fibromyalgia pain, which is frequently experienced as areas of numb and burning pain, is improved with mercury detoxification.

Mercury clearly has a variety of detrimental impacts on the immune system. Many practitioners have long observed that patients diagnosed with chronic viral illnesses (EBV, CMV, HIV, herpes zoster and genital herpes, CFIDS, etc.), chronic fungal illnesses (Candidiasis and others), and recurrent episodes of bacterial infections (chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, bladder/prostate infections, HIV related infections) often have dramatic recoveries following an aggressive mercury/amalgam detoxification program.

Safe Mercury Removal

SAABP promotes mercury-free, mercury-safe, and biological/biocompatible dentistry and medicine. Because of our objectives and knowledge base, SAABP is very concerned about exposure to mercury when amalgam fillings are removed. The process of drilling out amalgam fillings liberates quantities of mercury vapour and fine particulates that can be inhaled and absorbed through the lungs, and this is potentially harmful to patients, dentists, dental workers.

Based on up-to-date scientific research, SAABP has developed rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillings to assist in reducing the potential negative health outcomes of mercury exposure to patients or dental professionals.

Dentists who have obtained SAABP certification from SAABP have met all the International criteria stipulated as protocol for safe amalgam removal and completed coursework related the detoxification protocol required to enable the body to safely remove the mercury from the body. The educational programme offered to those dentists wanting to practice biological dentistry includes learning about the application of the rigorous safety measures, including the utilization of specific equipment for both safe removal and safe elimination of mercury, as well as the detox protocol and the science behind it. Dentists achieving SAABP accreditation are recognized for their completion of this training and their ongoing application of it within their practice. Their names are listed on the SAABP Dentist Directory so that patients opting to find a dentist knowledgeable about the Safe Mercury Removal can do so.

THE DETOX PROTOCOL FOLLOWED AT CAMPS BAY DENTAL STUDIO (CBDS) AND OTHER SAABP ACCREDITED DENTAL PRACTICES

Remove all amalgams from the mouth using the protocol laid out by IOAMT and SAABP (you can obtain this protocol and a list of accredited Biological dentists and doctors from: info@campsbaydentalstudio.co.za). Dental amalgam restorations have been referred to as silver fillings, but they contain 50% mercury, so the name is a little deceptive despite their silver appearance. Reports and research have consistently shown that these fillings emit mercury vapour and scientific research demonstrates that dental mercury amalgam exposes dental professionals, their staff and their patients including a patient’s unborn foetus to release of mercury vapour and mercury containing particulate.

Mercury vapour is released from dental mercury amalgam fillings at higher rates during tooth brushing and cleaning, clenching of teeth and chewing as well as during placement and replacement of dental mercury amalgam fillings.

An unsafe amalgam removal process releases mercury vapour and particulate that can be harmful to the patient, dentist and dental staff and the environment.

At Camps Bay Dental Studio and SAABP we use extensive safety recommendations for the removal of existing dental mercury amalgam fillings, that have been devised by the International Academy of Oral Medicine Toxicology (IAOMT) and using the most up to date science and research.

These recommendations were updated on 1 July 2016 and are known as Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) and are outlined in this article. The scientific references can be found by looking up IAOMT/SMART.

In addition to the SMART protocols CBDS and SAABP include:

Initial Consultation:

At your initial consultation, the SMR (safe mercury removal) protocol will be discussed with you as it will require your active participation for the reasons discussed above to ensure that mercury and other heavy metals which have accumulated since their original placement in your body, are detoxified safely and effectively from your body. A full treatment plan will be proposed tailor-made for your mouth and your needs. You will need to begin the detox program for a minimum of 2 weeks (ideally one to two months) before amalgam removal.

DETOX PROGRAM PRIOR TO AMALGAM REMOVAL, PREPARING THE BODY BY STRENGTHENING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND FOR EFFICIENT MERCURY DETOXIFICATION FROM THE BODY :

• Vitamin E *
• Selenium *
• Chlorella *
• Fresh Cilantro* (Parsley also works, but often has gastrointestinal side effects at appropriate doses.)
• Consider doing the 10 Day Detox* to help strengthen and prepare the body for elimination of mercury and other heavy metals.

*prepacked detox kits can be obtained from info@campsbaydentalstudio.co.za

The day of amalgam removal

(If the patient were compromised it would be best to remove only one filling and observe how they tolerate the procedure. If they tolerate the removal they can then proceed to one or two quadrant removal based on the number of fillings present.):

• Chlorella* immediately before dentistry
• Support of the immune system by administration of Intravenous Infusion Ascorbic Acid during the removal of mercury fillings. Patients suffering from Mercury sensitivity may develop an allergic reaction during the removal of their mercury fillings as a result of the mercury vapours which are released. This allergic reaction may be lessened or completely prevented by the SIMULTANEOUS administration of intravenous ascorbic acid. Ascorbic Acid has an antihistaminic action in the body thereby reducing or totally eliminating an allergic reaction. In addition, any mercury absorbed into the body during the mercury fillings removal will be more readily eliminated in the urine if the ascorbic acid I.V. is administered. The ascorbic acid will also help eliminate any mercury which has accumulate in patient’s body as a result of the mercury vapours which are released each time person chews.

THE SMART PROCEDURE

Impermeable barriers for patient, dentist & dental assistant

To protect against contamination by the substantial quantities of particles generated during the amalgam removal procedure that will elude collection by suction devices and that have been demonstrated to disperse throughout the dental surgery to all parts of the patients and dental team’s bodies and clothes.

The following body covers are utilized: