Heavy metal decontamination
Decontamination of heavy metals
Amalgam is a material used to fill the cavities that form after the removal of tooth tissue damaged by cavities. Sometimes referred as “fillings“, dental amalgam does not actually contain lead, but rather mercury combined with other metals. Although the toxicity of mercury is well established, its use is not systematically banned in all countries.
If you are interested in this subject, please consult this section specially created by Dr Christophe Gachet*, director of the Rhône Dental Clinic and certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine, for the S.M.A.R.T. highly secure amalgam removal protocol, detailed below.
You think you have been contaminated?
Do not hesitate to contact us. The Rhône Dental Clinic adapts to the most demanding schedules and personal needs of each patient. Punctuality is our priority and we are committed to providing you with a tailor-made emergency service if necessary, in order to meet your every need.
Each amalgam contains 1 gram of mercury, which can vaporise at temperatures above 37 degrees. According to several studies, this presence of mercury can have harmful consequences on the functioning of organs, disrupt the hormonal, nervous, immune and digestive systems, as well as accelerate the deterioration of cells and contribute to the ageing process of the body.
Our clinic is a pioneer in the field of decontamination by implementing a preventive approach.
The S.M.A.R.T method
In order to protect the health of our patients, we recommend the removal of dental fillings containing mercury. In our clinic, we use the SMART method (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique), which is the safest and most effective method of removing these fillings. We are the only clinic in Switzerland that is certified to perform this method.
Process of the operation
During the procedure, we take every precaution to protect the patient and the dentist from mercury exposure. We use an amalgam separator to prevent particles from becoming airborne and an amalgam collector to collect the removed filling particles.
The procedure also requires a high-volume filtration system to remove mercury vapours.
The dentist and assistant wear protective gowns and blankets to minimise their exposure, and a respirator mask is used to protect them from inhaling mercury vapours. The patient’s entire skin is covered for protection.
When removing dental fillings, the dentist removes the filling with a special instrument. The removed filling is collected and stored safely for proper disposal.
We hope that this information has been helpful and that you will consider the removal of mercury-containing dental fillings to protect your health. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
