Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) in Frisco, TX

At Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX, we see and treat patients with dental cavities daily. Safe mercury amalgam removal technique (SMART) in Frisco, TX, is popular because many patients used to get amalgam fillings. When you visit a dentist near you and are diagnosed with a cavity, you’ll be given a few choices before getting a filling.

Amalgam fillings have fallen out of favor because they contain mercury, which has been found to be harmful to the body. This is why you might be looking into a safe mercury amalgam removal technique (SMART) near you. As dentists in Frisco, TX, we have plenty of experience with SMART and can safely remove and replace amalgam fillings.

Why Do People Remove Amalgam Fillings?

At Millennium Smiles, we regularly remove amalgam fillings because they contain mercury. Silver amalgam fillings contain around 50% mercury, which is harmful to your overall health. The problem is that it’s constantly being released from the amalgam filling and absorbed into the body.

Placing, removing, or working on amalgam fillings can expose the dentist and the patient to mercury fumes. Mercury is also released from the filling when the patient brushes their teeth or chews. SMART was developed to protect patients from the potentially harmful effects of the mercury in amalgam fillings. The goal of SMART is to allow the removal of these fillings without putting the patient or the dentist at risk of mercury fumes.

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)

Several steps are taken to ensure the safety of the patient and the office staff during amalgam filling removal. First, an amalgam separator suction is installed to collect waste. The rooms where the procedure is performed are equipped with high-volume air filtration systems to eliminate mercury vapor. Additionally, the tooth undergoing the procedure is isolated from the rest of the mouth using a rubber dam. The patient will also wear a gown for their protection. To reduce mercury exposure, the patient will receive nasal oxygen, and a saliva ejector will be placed.

These are just a few of the precautions included in SMART. It will be described to you in detail during your visit. Your safety is our priority.

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