Smile in Style uses holistic dentistry principles to offer safe amalgam removal

Holistic dental offices like Smile in Style use techniques, products, and technologies that promote patients’ oral health and overall wellbeing. We are mindful about the dental tools and materials introduced to our offices in Moonee Ponds and Sunbury. Amalgam is one of the dental materials that Dr. Terry Rose and the dentists at Smile In Style do not use. They also consider that the responsible removal of this material needs to be carefully done so that the patient, the practitioner, other staff and the environment are not harmed.

Holistic Dental Practice in Sunbury VIC Area

A proud mercury-free and mercury-safe practice

Dental amalgams are a mix of metals that are most commonly used in fillings to repair cavities. The amalgams are silver-hued, though silver is just one metal that is formulated to make these fillings. Amalgams also contain copper, tin, and mercury. In fact, amalgam fillings can contain around 50% mercury by weight and mercury is a known toxin. Knowing this, our holistic practice only places non-metal, mercury-free fillings made from tooth-colored ceramics and composites (a type of resin that contains small, glass-like particles). 

Additionally, our commitment to holistic dentistry transcends our status as a “mercury-free” practice. We are also a “mercury-safe” practice, which means that we have invested in specialised equipment and protective wear to minimise mercury exposure during the process of removing amalgam fillings. Mercury can be released during the removal process in the form of vapours and particulate matter. When mercury is released in this manner, it can potentially present a threat to our patients, our staff and dentists and our environment. Our entire team is on the same page and have been Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal (SMART) certified by The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. Just a few of the many safeguards that we have implemented include:  

  • Chlorella drink is given prior to treatment and as a post treatment mouth rinse.  Chlorella helps to bind with mercury and prevent mercury absorption.
  • The use of protective barriers and coverings, masks, and eyewear to prevent physical contact with mercury
  • Use of Rubber Dam (non latex) to prevent the patient from swallowing dental amalgam
  • Generous use of water to rinse particles away and also lowers the temperature of the amalgam filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • Specialised, high-volume suction to remove amalgam particles from the mouth.
  • Continual application of external, non-contaminated air or oxygen, which prevents patients from inhaling mercury vapours.
  • Techniques to minimise drilling and mercury exposure by precisely removing amalgam in large chunks.
  • A purification system to cleanse the air of  mercury  vapours.
  • An amalgam separator device helps keep contaminated waste out of our waterways and promotes safe, non-hazardous waste disposal. 
Moonee Ponds Office
Call: 03 8400 4104 OR
Schedule an Appointment
Sunbury Office
Call: 03 8001 6021 OR
Schedule an Appointment

We could go on and on about how Smile in Style is an authentic, holistic, mercury-safe and mercury-free practice. However, we encourage you to check us out for yourself. To book a consultation, Phone 03 8400 4104 for our Moonee Ponds office or 03 8001 6021 to reach our team in Sunbury.

 

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Smile In Style Dental office near Moonee Ponds and Sunbury

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Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.