Hello everybody:
Here is what I heard about amalgam from "my" dentist.
He said that amalgam leeches out most of its mercury during the first few months, with the highest rate of this process taking place during the first few weeks.
After that there is relatively little mercury left at the periphery of a filling. So if your amalgam fillings are old, then, according to him, it makes sense to wait till that filling would need replacement.
I heard that when 60 Minutes broke that story, there was a mad rush to replace amalgams and dentists made lots of money out of that.
But the vast majority of those replacements were probably unnecessary.

Again, those are his words, I am not an expert in this.
He said that in some cases amalgam is pretty much the only option. The material, which is used by white fillings is not tolerated well by dentin and apparently the problem is serious enough to necessitate the use of a liner, a special material which is placed between dentin and white filling.

If a cavity is large, after preparing it, there may be a very thin layer of dentin left between the filling and the pulp chamber. In that case even a liner may be of no use, as a white filling could degrade dentin sufficiently to cause serious problems.

Amalgam does not have this problem, according to what he said.

Amalgam is also more suitable as material for cervical fillings, from structural point of view. White cervical fillings pop out with a much greater frequency than amalgam.

One could probably say that this dentist is just trying to obscure the issue.
I, obviously, can only guess about that, but his comments were made in reference to the question of REPLACING existing amalgam fillings. With just one exception, I was always insisting on white fillings when doing restorations with him.

In my opinion he is an honest dentist. For example, he takes care to save a tooth even when the cavity is so deep that he can see a pulp chamber "shining through" the remaining dentin after he finished preparing a cavity.
He advises his patient about the situation and tells him that white filling for this case would not be suitable. If he insists on white, then he may well have a complication some time later, which can become a real emergency.

As a contrast, some dentists would not trouble themselves trying to save such teeth, they simply drill the remaining millimeter or two of dentin right into the pulp chamber and make you pay for hte root canal.

The reason many folks are not aware about this shady reality of running a dental practice is probably because "their" dentists are not in the habit of advising them about the course of the treatment.
Pretty much all you would hear is "Please bear with me, I'll do my best!"

Pardon for a harsh claim, but the reality of running a dental practice is such that drilling right "through" the marginal cases brings in much more money.
If you came to fill a pretty large cavity, a dentist may well break into a pulp chamber without even bothering to tell youi anything. This way he gets money for the root canal and a crown ($1000-$1200 total, possibly $1500 and even more for the more complex root canals).
Legally he is not obligated to tell you anything!

But trying to save a cavity, which extends 1-2 millimiters to the pulp chamber is simply too much trouble!
It is, of course, possible, but why bother? What is his gain? To be able to charge you at the higher end of a fee spread for that type of a restoration?

Root canal alone would bring in at least twice as much! Plus a dead tooth has to be crowned, and you see the picture!
And in the existing legal environment you simply cannot prove anything!

Let's also not forget that every time a cavity is filled, it has to be prepared.
It is very unfortunate, but some dentists do not take sufficient care, when preparing cavities. Some use an oversized bore for a small cavity, or the same bore when preparing two cavities (large and small).

This way he can make it faster, but you would be losing more of your healthy dental tissue than "necessary".
And it is a fact of life that some folks begin wearing partial dentures already in their mid-fifties. Some even earlier!

This was just an illustration that the dentist from whom I was buying treatment over the last several years seems to be an honest one.
I am sure he would not mind to make some money by jumping at an opportunity to replace a few amalgam fillings, but he advised me not to do it, since those are many years old.
Since I found out about amalgam toxicity, I was telling dentists to put a white one. Only on a couple of occasions I had to agree to amalgam because of the condition of those teeth.

It is not my intention to start arguing about the toxicityof mercury. I am very much aware what kind of a poison it is!

Personally I did not feel any perceptible problems from amalgam fillings, maybe because I did not have to replace them often.
I have several amalgam fillings, which are at least 15 years old. I am not sure white fillings would last this long.

However, I am an active runner, I run year round, I did 17 marathons, plus a great many shorter races, and, quite naturally, that means sweating a lot.

I would imagine that helps to detoxify my body.
I have also been taking MSM for quite a few years already.
Among other things, MSM increases permeability of cellular membranes, thus making it easier for cells to dispose of waste products and toxins. They are dumped into the interstitial space and taken through the lymphatic system into the blood stream and, hopefully, out.
You can read about MSM on http://www.whyCrave.com/msm.htm

And here is a list of other sources of mercury: fungicides, bactericides in antifouling paints and mildew-proofing preparations. Used in coal mining, textile mills, timber product processing, petroleum refining, rubber processing, paint and ink formulation. Also used in thermometers, barometers and various industrial pressure and rate-of-flow indicators.
All closed sports arenas have a big problem with mold, since people there breathe and sweat a lot. Closed-roof swimming pools are also in need of antifouling paints and mildew-proofing preparations.
Once I signed up for an indoor track, thinking that it would help me with my running during winter, but withdrew after the first workout. the air was unbearable, too much mold and it also smelled of smth like pesticide.
I would rather be running in cold weather, but outside!
best regards: Oleg

Hi, i just wanted to say that if someone has amalgam in their teeth, and causing no probs, thats great but get them out as soon as possible while you are feeling healthy, theres a good chance you may stay healthy, but leaving it and going into denial, you may get seriously ill like us.
Amalgam isnt safe by no means, your dentist doesnt know everything, and all dentists have different opinions.
Mercury is one of the most toxic materials on this planet and no dentist should tell us that its safe to have in your mouth.
it has ruined my life, i have 2 kids and nearly commited suicide.
read as much as you can on the dangers of it, they have banned it in some Europesn countries, i hope UK is next.

Just a safety note: I would generally not recommend taking MSM until someone has all of their amalgam fillings removed. The high sulphur content can mobilize mercury and someone to become I'll. It happened to me.

I also advocate sweating. This is a great way to eliminate mercury while bypassing the liver and kidneys.

My brother, an accomplished triathlete, didn't realize he had mercury symptoms until he—after having his amalgams removed—didn't have to nap after long (50 to 120) mile bike rides anymore.

For athletes searching for that edge, I would consider safe amalgam removal and a long, gentle detox.

http://herballure.com/mms

Yes, Russ, I know one woman who experienced a very serious discomfort after taking MSM. I do not know much details, I would imagine she has amalgam fillings, but it was smth very discomforting.
She took it on my advice, as a sulphur supplement and also for a general body "clean-up". But one time was enough for her!
As for myself, I have been taking MSM for about a decade now with no ill effects.
As a matter of fact, AT THE MOMENT when I put it into my mouth, I have a very profound craving for it! I really feel I could eat a whole teaspoon! But I try to spread it out instead.
One acquaintance has a dog, he adds MSM to water for the dog to drink, he buys a veterinarian grade. The dog can drink a GALLON if there is MSM in water, he just does not seem to get enough! But he does not go crazy about plain water.

best regards: oleg

I believe alot of those in the dental field err on the side of what they feel is 'caution" and feel it is safer to just replace the filling after it falls out. They work for the ADA and hear two sides of the story-- including the ADA's insistence that it is perfectly healthy. I don't agree with that view.

In my case, I had 8 metal fillings replaced with porcelain/composite material by an ordinary dentist who specializes in reconstructive dentistry. I didnt have them replaced all at once- but during a 5-6 month period--and only two at a time.

This was over a year ago and the composites are still holding as strong as ever!! I chew perfectly, no more metal taste in my mouth either. If you get yours replaced ask your dentist to use a porcelain/composite mixture. It holds up very well and doesnt grind down- due to the porcelain content.

I do not regret my decision- and having them replaced gradually was very affordable for my low income budget. Also, my body was able to detox between each replacement, as I took alot of Algin, activated charcoal, did colon cleanses and liver flushes- and ate lots of fruits and veggies- and took a Vitamin C supplement with bioflavonoids before during and after each removal. (not taking too much vitamin C the day of the filling removal or the Novacaine won't work )

I had my metal fillings in my mouth since the early 1970's,-- and had them removed in 2005. Many nuerological and gum symptoms I had left for good weeks after my last filling was replaced. No more dizzy spells after chewing thick potato chips or grains. No more headaches in my sinuses. No more muscle twitches I had for years and took for granted.- these are just few of the symptoms I had for decades.


I think your dentist is only sincerely going by info that he has learned but he may want to do more research . Hal Huggins has a book out called, "I'ts all in Your Head' regarding silver amalgam poisoning- and the cases he treated that were restored after amalgam removal and chelating.

He shows photos of 50 year old metal fillings removed from cadavers showing mercury vapor still emitting from these same fillings-- the mercury was observed using a black light.

He mentions that a silver amalgam does NOT out gas itself as many believe. In fact, mercury (silver amalgam is composed of 50% mercury) is not on the outer layers of the amalgam alone, but is actually throughout the ENTIRE thickness of each filling. So if you got some sandpaper and abrased some of the amalgam away, fresh mercury would be exposed and would vaporize more heavily into the body via the filling.

So -- to limit this, you have to eat only non acidic, non crunchy, non abrasive foods all your life- and never get a teeth cleaning, nor drink hot liquids. -- you'd have to eat bland pureed food all your life--not a healthy diet for the human body.

for decades I have ALWAYS had a metallic taste in my mouth when eating certain foods I enjoy. I grew to accept this-- but enjoyed freedom from it after my last filling was replaced!!

Not only that- but my dentist will no longer order silver amalgam in his office. He stated that he and his father before him noticed that those who had the amalgam fillings always had to come back later because eventually the amalgam was too strong for the tooth and it ended up cracking the molar. Also, he didnt like the staining involved with the silver amalgam.

Hi, Boldyloxx and other members:
Thanks for your reply:
first of all, please do not consider me an amalgam advocate, I am the kind of a person, who tries to either to go to the source for the info or to compare the statements from the opposing parties.
**
I went to a dentist today to do cleaning (scaling) and I asked him a few more things about amalgam fillings.
He said that he can do porcelain or amalgam, whatever his clients order. Majority of people order porcelain, even after he cautions them that the rate of inflammation is about TWENTY TIMES HIGHER with porcelain, as compared to amalgam.
He said that today's amalgam has a 30% mercury content. In the old days it was 70%.
He showed me a container, it is about the size of a segment of a finger, with a screw-on cap. Mercury is in a little plastic pouch, which looks like a small disc, with three holes on edges. When he puts it into a "agitator", the contents are squeezed from the repeated impacts of the silver powder and everything gets mixed up.
He said that in the old days a special dental cement was used for white fillings. According to what he said, the cement had better structural properties, as compared to porcelain. It is no longer manufactured in US or Canada, since it is difficult to work with. Now only the composite porcelain is used for white fillings.

In my first post on this subject I indicated that a liner has to be used for porcelain. Actually, liner has to be used also for amalgam, and in the old days also for cement.
There are two types of liners, on porcelain both have to be used to reduce its contact with dentin. The ingredients for those liners come in two containers, you mix them and it solidifies as epoxy (even though it is not epoxy).
Liner is applied after the cavity is prepared. Then, after several minutes of setting in, a cavity can be filled.

He said that insurance companies DO NOT pay for porcelain on occlusal (chewing) surfaces.
I, of course, did not grill him for proof, I was grateful enough he took time to explain me the details of it.
But I still find it rather strange that insurance companies would not pay for porcelain on occlusal surfaces.

I cannot verify that statement, as I do not have a dental plan at this point. And I doubt an insurance company would allow its support dept to spend time answering queries from the people "from the street".

At the very minimum, you have to arrange a service ticket and only then have your question answered.
(I cannot do even that, since I wrote a book on dental office fraud ( www.badDentist.net ), I doubt they would be too eager to satisfy my curiosity)

But if some of the members of this forum have a dental plan, maybe you can contact your insurance company with this question, I think it woud be of great interest to everybody.

best regards:
Oleg
(again, I am NOT amalgam advocate)

According to WHO and other organizations, amalgam hg exposure is far greater than all other sources of hg exposure combined .

I studied chemistry in college . What do mean when you say that sulfur mobilizes hg? Mercury does'nt covalently bond . It is highly reactive. It doesnt lie dormant in the absence of sulfur.

Even if new amalgam fillings are 30% hg,they still would have approx 300,000 micrograms/hg ecch . Thats a huge amount.

get them out before they crack up your teeth... just like a thermometor, the mercury expands with heat, contracts with cold... doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that unless your teeth are also very athletic they will eventually show the strain and, oh well, crack, tough luck for you and a lifetime dental client you are.

and after 35 yrs I got mercury poison from a molar that did exactly that.. will probably have to extract the rest.

Your dentist is either a very good liar, a very good salesman, or not very smart. He certainly is not a good mechanic and I wouldn't even trust my chevy with a mechanic that recommended an unstable matrial like that to fill a hole in the radiator.

Maybe he figures he needs your business downline.

There are a lot of meth addicts around where I live, they say it's good stuff too. They have nice teeth also, for the time being.

Prolly cuz they don'twant to waste any good meths money on dentistry!