Proper Removal Technique for Old Mercury Silver Dental Fillings

Don't take chances on bad breath.

As awareness of the dangers of mercury amalgam dental fillings increases, so does the number of dentists who perform mercury removal procedures. Unfortunately, this comes with risks.

Many dentists, in their haste to help people, don’t learn the proper and safe method for removing mercury silver fillings. Why does it matter? Because by not following the proper safety protocols, you could actually be in more danger when having mercury removed than you are in just leaving the fillings in your mouth.

When mercury fillings are removed, the mercury is disturbed by the drill, releasing dangerous vapors and mercury particulates in your mouth.

So how do you protect yourself? How do you know if your dentist is following the proper safety protocol when removing your old mercury amalgam fillings? Below is a quick video that should help you better understand the proper protocol (as specified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology’s (IAOMT)) so you can ask your dentist about it and recognize the steps he or she should be taking during your procedure.



  1. Darrell Says: May 29, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I just had two gold crowns with amalgam fillings underneath removed from #30 and #31. The fillings were very large and the black stain penetrates deep enough to affect the nerve. The dentist told me he would have to extract the teeth if I want the black amalgam stain removed. I want the black amalgam stain removed because it is toxic heavy metal that has penetrated into the dentin. I am told by many dentists that it is “unethical” to remove a “restorable” tooth even with the black amalgam stain. Do you consider black amalgam stains left under composite material safe?

  2. Yasamin Nuri Says: May 25, 2012 at 3:34 am

    I live in Germany and my dentist recommended replacing the old silver amalgam filling due to a fracture in the tooth! Unfortunately the “operation” was not a success due to the overly sensitive tooth despite using a novocain.
    The dentist suggested another appointment and scraped off a bit of the old filling to relieve the pressure on the tooth. My questions is this is the dentist just simply inexperienced and extremely cautious? Or is this standard procedure? The novocain had unfortunately no effect, except the usual numbness of the tongue, the lip, and the right side of the mouth. What would be your recommendation? Thank you very much. Mrs. Yasamin Nuri

  3. I have seen a dentist that says I need a root canal (#20) . There is a very old amalgam filling in it and I would like it replaced with composite( along with the rest of my fillings). I have see the xray of the tooth and the decay does seem to be in the root, but only a small part of the root, not all the way down. Is there a procedure where you can just remove the old filling and any decay WITHOUT doing a root canal. I have an appointment next week and would like some information to ‘back me up” Aside from the meridian issues, it is very expensive. Thank you.

    • Sure, you can remove the old filling and replace it without doing a root canal, but it depends on how deep the decay is. I always recommend people get a second opinion when talking about any major medical or dental work. Take your x-rays to another dentist and see what he or she says. If the decay isn’t too deep, you may just be able to replace the filling.

      Good luck!

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