First, the Nexium is probably not good. I know that was several years ago, but if you're still taking it, it's probably not good for you. Prescription meds are bad, most of them, anyway. You probably don't even have ulcers, as they thought I had them, too, but they didn't find any, when they tested me for them. The meds they gave me didn't help, either. It may be a symptom of your mercury poisoning.

Personally, the dentist sounds fine to me. That sounds about right. I had dam, oxygen, high power drill and suction. Some people have "material compatibility" tests done (to see if you have a reaction to other filling materials), but I didn't. You may opt for this, if your dentist offers it.

I need crowns, too, but haven't got them yet. On my worst, biggest fillings, they dental assistant suggested I have a "crown build-up". Crowns are expensive, and I can't afford them yet. If you are having financial troubles, you might ask if they would do this for you. They made me brand new teeth out of it, and shaped them and everything. You would not know they aren't real teeth. They are on my molars, as those fillings were huge, and nearly my entire tooth structure was lost. These would hold you over until the crowns could be done. They use these "artifical teeth" as a base for your crown. You might ask if they would do this, but if you can afford the crowns, you could go ahead and do them.

I had the same "deep cleaning" done at my first visit. It gets all the "matter" out from underneath your gums, and does make your mouth healthier.

I can't speak for everyone, because some people have had very bad after effects, but mine went well. The first removal, I had several days of swollen lymph glands in my neck, and a feeling of sickness, but took detox baths, and they helped a bunch. I took Chlorella (some people don't do well with this), Algin, and Activated Charcoal after my removals. It took 3 different days at the end of March, for me to finally get the rest of them out, but I had no ill effects, that time.

I was scared, too. I had very high anxiety issues, though, while my fillings were in, so I think that was a big part of it. The more I did, the easier it got.

The piece you could've swallowed should've been eliminated. My understanding is, whole pieces like that will pass (I've swallowed one, too), and not lodge anywhere. The dust you breathed in, would be more damaging. Before I knew anything about mercury, my old dentist did a root canal, through a huge filling (nearly the whole tooth), and I had no protection. I think that's what sent me over the edge. My health started declining fiercely over the next couple of years, until I got to my lowest point.

When my fillings were first put in, it was 1992, and I will never forget, it was the sickest I'd ever been in my life. I never understood why, but after I learned about mercury, I understood. I think it really screwed up my immune system. I got strep, and chicken pox right around the time they were put in. Then I got a yeast infection from taking antibiotics for strep. This was all on top of the symptoms I got from actually having them put in!!!

I've just been rambling on...and like I said, all I can tell you is what I've been through, your experience may very well be completely different than mine. Every single person is different, and you have the chance of having a bad reaction, but IMO I'd rather take that chance, than to have that crap in my mouth another day. That's just the way I looked at it. I wish you luck, and hope you let us know how your removal progresses.