Hi James, the reason why your Grandmother had no problems was because she had her teeth removed, not the fillings.

Therefore, no drilling was involved. That means no exposure to mercury. Removing the tooth, does not disturb the amalgam at all. When they are drilling the amalgam out? that's when you're at risk and sometimes a huge risk if they are removing a load at once. Depending too on what kind of protection you are getting.

There is no point in getting a whole pile out at once, possibly exposing yourself to a lot of mercury vapor in the process and winding up more poisoned at the end of it. I am sure your dentist however will be providing full protection, but I still feel that full amalgam removal in one session is risking it.

Maybe 3-4 should be the limit. Some opt for two at a time.