MERCURY FREE DENTISTRY

Mercury is an extremely poisonous metabolic, enzymatic, and genetic toxin. It is much worse than lead, cadmium, or arsenic. Over 150 million Americans have mercury amalgam fillings in their teeth. The majority of them have at least eight mercury amalgam fillings. Every time these millions of amalgam fillings are stimulated, mercury vapor is released. In addition, tens of millions have both the galvanic current-creating combination of amalgam fillings and gold crowns, increasing the amount of mercury vapor released even if the fillings aren't stimulated.

The general population in America absorbs more mercury from dental fillings than from any other source. Studies demonstrate that two-thirds of the mercury absorbed by non-occupationally exposed populations is derived from amalgam fillings. On average, eighty percent of the mercury inhaled into the lungs is absorbed into the bloodstream.

While the answer to the question whether amalgam fillings are safe appears to be yes by U.S. dental organizations such as American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry, no studies have been done that proves amalgam to be 100% safe. Groups and organizations questioning the safety of amalgam include the World Health Organization and various European researchers.

What we know are scientifically proven facts about mercury and dental amalgam:

Dental Amalgam contains about 50% Mercury
Mercury has been scientifically demonstrated to be more toxic than Lead, Cadmium, or even Arsenic
Mercury leaves dental amalgam continuously throughout the lifetime of the filling
Mercury vapour is the main way that mercury comes out of amalgam
Mercury vapour is absorbed at a rate of 80% through the lungs into the arterial blood
Mercury is cytotoxic. i.e. it kills cells
There is NO harmless level of Mercury Vapour Exposure
Mercury from amalgam binds to –SH (sulphydryl) groups. These exist in almost every enzymatic process in the body. Mercury from amalgam will thus have the potential of disturbing all metabolic processes
Mercury from amalgam will result in a slow build up of mercury in body tissue
Mercury vapour is absorbed directly into the brain
Mercury from amalgam will result in a slow build up of mercury in the body tissue
Mercury crosses the blood brain barrier
Mercury is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease
Mercury from amalgam is stored in the fetus of a pregnant woman and in the infant after it is born
Mercury from amalgam is stored in the breast milk and the fetus up to 8 times more than the mother's tissues
Mercury (Mercury Vapour/Methyl mercury) crosses the placenta
Mercury crosses into breast milk
Mercury will severely reduce reproductive function
Mercury rapidly depletes the immune system
Mercury will induce a number of Auto Immune Diseases
Mercury will cause an increase in number and severity of allergies
Mercury from amalgam is stored principally in the kidneys, liver and brain
Mercury from amalgam (shown in animal experiments) causes kidney damage
Mercury from amalgam will cause a 50% reduction in kidney filtration as shown in a study of sheep after amalgam placement
Mercury from amalgam is methylated in the mouth. Methyl mercury is more toxic than elemental Mercury
After chewing, mercury vapour levels will remain raised for at least another 90 minutes
Mercury from amalgam will migrate through the tooth
This rate of migration is increased if a gold crown is placed over a tooth filled with amalgam
Teeth are living tissue and are a part of our bodies
Teeth have a massive communication via blood, lymph and nerves with the rest of the body
Mercury from amalgam is absorbed into the body at a rate of 3 to 17 mcg/day
Mercury release is increased by: increase in temperature, friction & increase in electrical currents
Mercury from amalgam will enter the body as: Elemental Mercury, Inorganic Mercury, Vapour, charged Mercury Ions
In the brain, mercury from amalgam is stored preferentially in the Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
Micro-Mercurialism is principally characterized by Neurological symptoms
Mercury is transported along the axons of nerve fibres
Mercury from amalgam may be stored in every other cell in the body. Each area affected will produce its own set of symptoms
Mercury binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cell thus reducing oxygen carrying capacity
Mercury damages blood vessels reducing blood supply to the tissues (micro-angiopathies)
Amalgam fillings produce electrical currents, which might be injurious to health. These currents are measurable in Micro-Amps. The Central Nervous System (brain) operates in the range of Nano-Amps this is one thousand times less than Micro-Amp
Dissimilar metals in the mouth (i.e. gold & amalgam) will produce higher electrical currents
Mercury from amalgam (shown in animal experiments) will induce Antibiotic Resistance and Mercury resistance in bacteria in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract
Brain levels of mercury are in a direct linear proportion to the number of surfaces of amalgam fillings in the mouth
The level of mercury in the brain tissue of fetus's, new born and young children is proportional to the number of amalgams in the mother's mouth
Mercury will cause single strand breaks in DNA
Mercury levels in the body cannot be assessed be either blood or urine levels
Mercury from amalgam fillings is the single greatest source of dietary mercury for the general population
Dental personnel are severely affected by exposure to mercury
Amalgam (mercury contained) large fillings expand and may cause tooth cracks and fractures
Amalgam fillings are esthetically poor

We are aware of these facts. Therefore, we feel obligated to inform our patients what many prominent scientists have concluded so that they make educated decisions about own dental health. We are truly dedicated to provide safe and sound dental care using biocompatible materials and advanced technologies.