Hello,

I just called a local dentist (the health food store recommended him) but when I called, I was surprised that the people I talked to knew very little. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

He uses a rubber dam.
He does NOT use oxygen.
He uses a high speed drill.

This was all I could ask because every question seemed to mess them up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />......I know the staff may not know as much as the dentist....and he said he thought breaking the filling into fourths put too much stress on the tooth. The lady at the HFS told me that he does remove them according to highest to lowest.

I got soooo nervous, which is not unusual for me......!

But what do ya'll think? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I need some advice.......anything.......I want the mercury out but I am soooo afraid that they could make me really sick and since I can only afford to remove one or two fillings (crowns) at a time.....I need someone local. My fillings are breaking off and since I'm not spitting them out, that means I'm swallowing them.....so I need to do something.

Thank you for any ideas and advice anyone can offer.
Elaine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Elaine,

I don't know what advice I can offer, but I've been in a very similar situation. I wanted someone local to replace my fillings, but the mercury-free dentist that was closest to me (that I made the mistake of going to see rather than just talk to him over the phone) knew less than me and wasn't a pleasant man at all.

I don't have a lot of money and my fillings are decaying and I'm probably swallowing some aswell. But it was getting so stressful to find a dentist that uses all procedures and diamondlite that in the end I just decided enough was enough and am going to London to get it done. It will be more expensive, but I figured it's best to get something done, even if it's only a couple of fillings for the moment, than ending up getting nothing done or getting it done badly.

I sympathise - it's really tough to know what to do for the best.

Hi! Well, I took the same route you're taking-- got them out two at a time. The dentist I went to was a regular dentist (not a holistic one) but he did agree to use a rubber dam on me when I asked. (they have them in the office,but hardly use them)

He does use a high speed suction as well, and even though he's one of those dentists that is skeptical that mercury fillings are bad for you, he wont order it for his office. He hates it for other reasons, so you wont be exposed to old mercury vapor in the air from previouis patients getting new fillings before you. There are alot of regular dentists like t hat who wont order metal amalgam because they hate it for cracking teeth, etc.. If you dont go to a holistic dentist, that type of regular dentist is worth looking into.

He looked at me like I was a fruitcake when I asked if he could use oxygen- so i brought a fan in my car that you plug into the cigarrette ligheer- and blew it on my face on the ride going to and leaving the dental office. I also took a shower and shampooo when I got home and wore eyeglasses and kept my eyes shut when they did the drilling. Also, I pulled my hair back in a pony tail, and took shallow breaths until i got outside., And I brought a can of saline solution (non-preservative type in can) to rinse my eyes out afterwards.

I took natural Vitamin C for the week of the dental visit- and afterwards too-- and Activated Charcoal, and Algin before and after each visit.

I very very slight side effects- and that was only during the 2nd dental visit when I didnt wash my hair and body afterwards or use a fan in my face on the drive home.

I started getting the first two of 8 fillings replaced on my birthday -- May 12th. of this year. My last two were replaced this September 1st.

The average cost of two filling removals/ with refilling of composite/porcelain (I dont believe it was Diamonlite either) was about $137 for two teeth. My dental insurance only covers for SILVER fillings-- (which doesnt surprise me!) otherwise, it would have practically been free.

After you get the last two metal fillings out- you can start chelating-and make sure to keep your colon cleansed- so that the mercury can be eliminated quickly--and not be forced to go out through your skin.

Algin is the best supplement to use along with chelating too.

Since I just got the last 2 out this month , im taking only 500 mg of Chlorella, two capsules of Algin, 2 capsules of activated charcoal and various herbs (like Butcher's broom) that clean out the bloodstream. They seem to be doing their job.

Thank you Demi and Boldyloxx for replying......I am more confused then ever......tee hee.....(tonight I had decided to cancel).......hee hee.....I feel sooo fickle.......but it scares me that he uses a high speed drill and absolutely no oxygen.....if he at least used oxygen, then I could say I won't be breathing much of it.

I almost feel like all of the research I've done is for naught. I've done so much research on mercury and removal and what material is best to replace it with......I know exactly what I want done but I can't find a dentist that will do it.....I read about dentists that are across the country and I wish they were close to me.

I don't know if I want to go in to his office and tell him that he is doing it all wrong.....har har.....like he would listen to me......this was my last hope for someone local. Since I'm going to need crowns, I know I'm looking at (min.) $500-$600 per tooth.

The initial visit will cost me $171.00 for x-rays and consultation......I can't find a dentist that I can talk to over the phone before I shell out any $$$.

And I can't travel all over paying everyone and getting only xrays.......gosh, I am just soooo frustrated......geeeze, I don't know what I should do, maybe I will go ahead and go to him and hope for the best.

Thanks again Demi and Boldyloxx!

It is really confusing and stressful. In the end I decided that I'm only going to have these mercury fillings replaced once in my entire life, so I should have it done properly.

I suspect the fillings has caused me 20 years of OCD suffering and may be behind my PCOS diagnosis aswell as other health problems I'm having, so the last thing I want is to expose myself unnecessarily to more mercury while having them out. So, I decided to make sure I have it all - dam and oxygen and diamondlite. I also didn't want a repeat performance of my last dental visit with a man who didn't know much or didn't care and made me feel like a looney.

I can't afford to have it all done at once, though, so it will probably be about a year before they are all gone - but at least this way I get something done <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Demi,

It is very confusing......and it's frustrating to make the right decision is overwhelming. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I had gone to a mercury-free dentist (a year ago) and his price was outragious <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />($1150 per crown- it started out at $1000 in his office and by the time I was walking out, the price had gone up to $1050 and then when he sent me his estimate, it was $1150) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> and the only thing he guaranteed was the price would go up. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Plus it was very hard to have to go out of town.

At least this guy is in town and I can drive myself.....I'm praying that I can talk him into using oxygen.......and I'm just hopeing that his price will be $500-$600 per crown.

I am still looking for another dentist.....maybe one that uses consious sedation and I could get half done.....I think I can get a loan for that and then maybe get the other half done 6 months to a year later. But I will have to figure in hotel, restraunts, etc.....in that price.

Thanks for all of your help, I'll post and let you know what he says and the price.
Elaine

Some encouragement...

Dentists are working for you so don't hesitate to call 5 or 10 dentists and ask them a list of questions such as:

Do you have any special protocol you follow for mercury removal? etc.

I called several offices and talked with 2 of them about 1 1/2 hours before choosing. I believe if they are not willing to take the time to speak with you in detail on the phone, I don't want them working on my body. The attitude of the owner (the dentist) trickles down to the receptionists and each office has it's own "feel".

Take your time and make the right decesion and always remember, you're the boss when you're paying someone to perform a service for you.

Best of luck; Keep us posted.

Hi Russ,

That's something that confuses me.....none of the dentists I've called will even talk to me (over the phone) and no one will tell me anything until I go in and have a bunch of x-rays....This guy is going to charge me $171. and I can't afford to go around the country paying all of the dentists to talk to me.

I can't imagine a dentist talking to me for 1 1/2 hours without getting money, even when I'm paying them, they don't spend that kind of time with me.....after the assistant takes all of the x-rays, the dentist may talk to me for 5-10 minutes.......geeeze, they all make me feel like I'm lucky if they take me. They all take one look at my mouth and they see dollar signs but then they get greedy and I run away as fast as I can. The receptionist and assistants seem to only know how to make appointments.....I am always surprised that they don't know what I'm talking about or they don't know what their bosses are doing.

I wish I had your attitude and I could feel like I'm the boss but it nevers happens that way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Thank you!
Elaine

Please do let me know how it goes )

I had the same with the last dentist I saw. He saw my mouth as a money bag. He had no interest in "me". It was very disheartening. Luckily, my previous dentist (but one who uses mercury) was a lovely man, hence why I stuck with him for 7 years. He did white fillings for me when I asked and was always helpful. I'm hoping the dentist I've chosen will be as friendly because Russ is right we "are" paying them, and quite a lot too, so they should be polite etc. The guy that I saw about replacing the fillings was so arrogant that his attuitude was like I had no choice but to choose him - well, I'm sorry, but there are other dentists! So, in that way, we "are" in control because we don't have to go to them, and if they don't treat us as people, then they'll ultimately lose out.

I know exactly what it's like when you call a dental office and they don't have any interest in talking to you. I called a few in my new location (I just moved to western New York state 2 1/2 years ago) and a couple of the receptionists acted like they were in a hurry to get me off the phone.

I have learned to mention a few key points that "encourage" the receptionists to take me seriously. Here are some ideas:


- Be sure to mention that you are part of an online support group/forum for mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings.

"Hi. I'm calling because I'm interested in having my amalgam fillings replaced with something safer. I'm part of on online support forum dealing with the subject of amalgam safety and I'm curious if Dr. so-and-so follows any special safety protocols when removing mercury-based fillings."

When you say something like this, some offices will treat you like royalty; like the media is calling. Of course the goal is to find out if they follow any safety protocols during mercury removal and making yourself stand out with in intro like this is more likely to make them pay attention.

You will normally find that there are 2 kinds of offices:

(1) Those who are up on the subject of mercury, and

(2) Those who are not.

I generally find those who are will be much more helpful and genuinely concerned about answering your questions for you.


- Speak clearly and with authority.

I am so completely amazed at how different you are treated on the phone based on your "tone". Speak with the confidence of a doctor calling another doctor for professional services.


- Set the pace.

So many times you are greeted by someone with too much work and too little time and too much coffee. They sound like they cannot wait to get rid of you.

In these cases, I slow down, ask questions clearly, and accent certain words that let them know that I'm very polite but I'm not going away just because they want me to.

"Hello. I'm very interested in having my mercury-based fillings removed safely. Does your office do this kind of work?"


- Always be polite.

I'm a firm believer that kindness will get you further almost always. If an office gives you any reason to be unhappy on your first phone call, you will most likely be unhappy with them no matter what.


- Be positive if they seem receptive.

After the first statement, if the receptionist "passes the test" by being polite and saying something like, "Yes, we certainly do remove amalgams, and we use the Huggins protol for safety", you can come back and say:

"Great, that's just what I've been searching for. Now I just have a few questions if that's OK. Do you use a rubber dam? Do you use low-power x-ray machines? Do you have air filtration during the removal? Do you supply oxygen for prevent inhalation of mercury during the procedure?"


Just remember that if the office really cares about you, they will be willing to answer your questions. If you call 10 offices and still don't get the response you're looking for, just smile really big and pick up the phone and call 10 more. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

UPDATE:

Tee hee.....the dentists office just called and cancelled <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />......the dentist went home sick......I'm not happy that he is sick, I am happy that I don't have to go.

I had a horrible night, I was having a lot of trouble sleeping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />and then as I was finally falling to sleep, my cat woke me up and I was up until 6:00am <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />.....so I'm not doing very good today.....I am just sooooo relieved that they cancelled.

They tried to make a new appointment but I told her I would have to check on the date........so I'm back to not knowing what to do.

I know mercury makes people indecisive......it just drives me crazy!

And Russ ......those are great ideas......I wish I had thought of them before I called.....it just surprised me so much that they didn't know what I was talking about.....I know I probably sounded shocked but I felt like I may have sounded arguementative, I may not have but I felt like I may have sounded that way <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />......which was not my intent.

The only other thing I can do is go several hours away......maybe I can find someone who does that Conscious Sedation and get one side done. Sorry, now I'm just thinking outloud <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />.....but the money, hotel, food, etc.

Sooooo, I'm back to....What'll ya'll think? Should I make a new appointment? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Any ideas will be apprieciated very much to this poor mercury laden brain of mine! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Elaine

So often in life, things that look like hinderances or blocks are actually protections and guidance.

There is an old saying that pertains to relationships that goes...

"Rejection is Gods protection."

Perhaps this cancellation is a blessing in disguise.

As the old REO song goes...
"Keep pushing."

If I were you, I'd keep searching for a dentist who follows the protocols and who has an office who is willing to speak with you about your concerns. Good things take time and persistence will pay off.

Sorry that this message has such a high cliche-to-word ratio.