(416) 538-8883
415 Bloor Street West Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1X6
dentistry@bloordental.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About:
Safe Amalgam Removal
Mercury Poisoning: Symptoms and Diseases
Oxygen/Ozone Therapy


SAFE AMALGAM REMOVAL
Safe amalgam removal technology and protocol:

We have been committed to mercury free dentistry for our guests for 15 years. But what happens when the old silver fillings embedded in your teeth break down?

Our Answer: Leading Edge Technology!

Regardless of which side of the amalgam-safety controversy seems most reasonable to you, our goal is to provide the safest possible removal of mercury-silver fillings, especially as old restorations break down. There is after all, no question that amalgam fillings are 48-52% mercury.

Our Amalgam-Removal Technology and Protocol:

  • FOR OUR TEAM
  • Exposure to ambient mercury is occupational. Our rubber-based masks have two filters, an outer one to trap the mercury particulates that can lodge in our lungs during amalgam removal and an inner one to filter mercury dust and vapour.

  • FOR OUR PATIENTS
  • a) Our patients firt rinse with a liposomal glutathione for intracellular protection, then food grade coconut husk charcoal, just like at the hospital, to protect them from absorbing any harmful toxins during the procedure. After the mercury is removed the patient will rinse and spit with an acorbic acid and a high sulpher containg compound to scavenge and bind any loose mercury.

    b) We use a narrow, round-tip bur to section old amalgam fillings in the largest chunks possible in order to reduce release of mercury vapour, particulates and dust.

    c) Copious use of distilled, ozonated water during removal suppresses mercury vapour, particulates and dust, helping to trap amalgam debris in the suction system.

  • TECHNOLOGY
  • The IQAIR Dental HG (MERCURY) FLEXVAC represents an extra precaution. The flexible self-supporting suction arm of the FlexVac positions near your head to capture mercury vapour, particulates, and dust, reducing measurable ambient mercury debris (as well as drill aerosols, VOC's, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, dust, viruses, bacteria and microbial contaminants) to nearly zero.

    Meticulous maintenance of equipment maximizes the efficiency of our technology, and we use ozonated water in our lines.

    As post amalgam removal protocol, we apply medical-grade-oxygen-ozone to the site in the tooth from which we have removed decay. Oxygen-ozone kills bacteria, fungi and viruses prior to the placement of the final restoration.

  • FOR THE PLANET
  • Ontario requires amalgam separators for dental offices. Approximately 64% of mercury load on city waste management used to come from dentistry. Our Sometex amalgam separator tests at a 99%+ capture rate. It's designed to keep municipal sludge mercury-free.

What Should You Conclude:

The Canadian and American Dental Association still consider amalgam fillings within standard-of-care dentistry. We simply provide a safe removal process, especially as old amalgams break down.

↑Top


MERCURY POISONING: SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no safe level of mercury. That means that no amount of it is safe, even one atom. Even if enough mercury hasn't accumulated to manifest a symptom related to chronic mercury poisoning, that doesn't mean you are not being poisoned by it. The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back wasn't the last straw, it was the sum total of the weight of all of the straws.

The fact is that mercury can directly or indirectly cause, contribute to, or make worse every health issue we will ever deal with. Chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings takes time to express a related symptom. Because mercury is found in every cell of the body, and there are trillions of them, it may take years for enough mercury to accumulate for a symptom to appear. Chronic mercury poisoning is an accumulative problem but be certain that while it is accumulating it is poisoning you every step along the way."

Symptoms Related to Mercury Poisoning

At least 100 symptoms directly or indirectly result from chronic mercury poisoning. The number and severity of symptoms depend on a variety of factors, such as:

  • How Many Fillings You Have
  • How Long You've Had Them
  • How They Are Stimulated
  • How Often They Are Stimulated

In addition, because mercury is classified as a neurotoxin it can also cause of contribute to emotional and psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and memory loss. Symptoms that worsen over time may signal the development of a disease.

This table lists some of the common symptoms directly related to chronic mercury toxicity. But keep in mind that because mercury can indirectly cause harm by depleting the antioxidants, such as glutathione and alpha lipoic acid, needed to remove it and deal with other harmful toxins and free radicals...it can indirectly be related to even more symptoms and diseases.

Common Symptoms of Chronic Mercury Poisoning:
TYPE SYMPTOMS
Digestive System Colitis
Diarrhea/Constipation
Loss of Appetite
Weight Loss
Nausea/Vomiting
Emotions Aggressiveness
Anger
Anxiety
Confusion
Depression
Fear and Nervousness
Hallucination
Lethargy
Manic Depression
Mood Swings
Shyness
Energy Levels Apathy
Chronic Tiredness
Restlessness
Head Dizziness
Faintness
Headaches (frequent)
Ringing in ears
Heart Anemia
Chest Pain
Heartbeat Rapid or Irregular
Lungs Asthma/Bronchitis
Chest Congestion
Shallow Respiration
Shortness of Breath
Muscles & Joints Cramping
Joint Aches
Muscle Aches
Muscle Weakness
Stiffness
Neurological/Mental Fine Tremor
Lack of Concentration
Learning Disorders
Memory Loss, Short and Long Term
Numbness
Slurred Speech
Nose Inflammation of the Nose
Sinusitis
Excessive Mucus Formation
Stuffy Nose
Oral/Throat Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Bone Loss
Burning Sensation
Chronic Coughing
Gingivitis/Bleeding Gums
Inflammation of the Gums
Leukoplakia (White Patches)
Metallic Taste
Mouth Inflammation
Sore Throats
Ulcers of Oral Cavity
Other Allergies
Anorexia
Excessive Blushing
Genital Discharge
Gland Swelling
Hair Loss
Hypoxia
Illnesses (frequent)
Insomnia
Loss of Sense of Smell
Perspiration Excessive
Renal Failure
Skin Cold and Clammy
Skin Problems
Vision Problems (Tunnel Vision)
Water Retention (Edema)

Your state of health (especially the state of your immune system), whether you still have amalgam fillings, the amount of mercury you've been exposed to over time, and the amount still present in your body directly influence the number and severity of your symptoms.

Chronic Mercury Poisoning and Related Diseases

Mercury exposure has been linked to the following diseases. Because mercury has such a destructive effect on the immune and detoxification systems, the list could be much longer.

Acrodynia
Alzheimer's
Asthma
Anterior Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Asthma
Arthritis
Autism
Candida
Cardiovascular Disease
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Crohn's Disease
Depression
Developmental Defects
Diabetes
Eczema
Emphysema
Fibromyalgia
Hormonal Dysfunction
Immune System Disorders
Intestinal Dysfunction
Immune System Disorders
Kidney Disease
Learning Disorders
Liver Disorders
Lupus
Metabolic Encephalopathy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Reproductive Disorders
Parkinson's Disease
Senile Dementia
Thyroid Disease

Other Factors Regarding Mercury Poisoning:

When it comes to establishing the causative link between mercury and disease, it's important to consider other factors that can produce similar symptoms, including genetics, diet, lifestyle, environment, occupation, and substance abuse, either alone or in conjunction with each other. But the possibility of developing a related health problem dramatically increases when these factors and mercury are present together.

For some people, signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning can begin almost immediately upon exposure to mercury. Other individuals experience an insidious onset of symptoms months or years later, and it is impossible to relate symptoms conclusively to fillings. Still others are genetically predisposed to eliminate neurotoxins with considerable efficiency and seem to function well with amalgam fillings for a lifetime.

Does the amount or inorganic mercury released into your body affect your health?

Studies support both sides of the controversy.
Do the research.
You can draw your own conclusions!

Information on this page was sourced from Mercury Safe Dentists.

↑Top


HOW DOES OXYGEN/OZONE THERAPY WORK?

Oxygen/Ozone, when introduced into the living system, creates what is called a "transient oxidative burst". The infective microorganisms have no natural defense against the reaction, and, as a result, are overstressed and die. Thus, Oxygen/Ozone disinfects the area treated, both safely and effectively.

This "oxidative burst" also includes a multitude of natural biochemical and physiological reactions. These reactions include better blood flow, enhanced immune response, and a more rapid healing response.

HOW CAN OXYGEN/OZONE HELP IN MY DENTAL CARE?

With proper application, oxygen/ozone can enhance the outcome in all aspects of dentistry. For example, periodontal disease is a chronic gum and bone infection. By utilizing the different application forms of oxygen/oxygen such as ozonated water, ozonated oils, and placing oxygen/ozone directly around the infected gum pockets, periodontal disease can be arrested without the use of pharmaceutical drugs and associated side effects.

Another area of concern is infected root canals. Oxygen / Ozone Therapy sterilizes all aspects of the tooth, even into the smallest canals and tubules. This allows for a truly biological root canal and thus retention of your natural teeth. Tooth decay or caries, which is really a "tooth infection", can be arrested almost immediately upon proper exposure to oxygen / ozone therapy. This procedure is especially useful when treating children, as minimal to no drilling of the tooth is necessary.

CAN I BE ALLERGIC TO OXYGEN/OZONE?

No, Ozone is just an energized form of oxygen. Ozone is naturally formed by the sun and lightning in storms.

IS THERE ANY SCIENCE TO SUPPORT OXYGEN/OZONE THERAPY?

The scientific literature is vast in support of the effectiveness and safety of oxygen / ozone therapy in dentistry. Historically, it was a Swiss dentist, E.A. Fisch in the early 1900's who introduced the concept of oxygen/ozone in dentistry, followed by Dr. Payr who introduced this treatment into the medical community. Scientifically we now understand how and why oxygen/ozone therapies work so well. This has lead to many treatments advances in the last number of years, especially in dentistry. Recently, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology reviewed and accepted Oxygen / Ozone in dentistry as scientifically valid.


This information is taken from Oxygen / Ozone in Dentistry: Helping Patients Make Informed Decisions, literature provided by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.

For more information regarding Biological Dentistry you can visit the IAOMT website here.

↑Top

© Bloor Dental Health Centre - All Rights Reserved