Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)
Make the SMART choice today!
Did you know that some dentists still use silver fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, because they are less expensive, easy to place, and durable? We want you to know that those reasons aren’t worth jeopardizing your health. When considering your filling options, keep in mind that 50% of the composition of a silver filling is mercury, and exposure to mercury can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system. In fact, even the slightest release of mercury vapor during brushing, cleaning, clenching and chewing can lead to serious health conditions as it is absorbed into the body.
What is SMART and why does SMART matter?
The process of drilling silver fillings in an effort to remove them releases large amounts of vapor that could potentially endanger the life of the patient, the dentist, the medical team, and the fetus of anyone present. That is why Dr. Silver follows the protocol set in place by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) https://iaomt.org/ that prescribes guidelines for the safe removal of amalgam fillings. Safe Removal Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) https://iaomt.org/resources/safe-removal-amalgam-fillings/ is a set of precautions, developed after much research by IOAMT, a well-established organization that raises awareness of biocompatibility of dental products and the concepts of biological dentistry.
As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident that we are following all SMART safety measures for patient protection, including using:
- Full head/neck/face/body barrier
- Nasal masks that delivers external air
- Non-latex nitrile dental dams
- Charcoal, chlorella, or similar absorbent
- Saliva ejectors
- Oral aerosol vacuums
- Clean up devices
- Ample amounts of water spray
- High speed evacuation devices
- Instructions for the removal of amalgam in large chunks
Dentist and Dental Staff Protection
We also adhere strictly to all safety measures put in place to protect the dentist and dental staff. You can expect to find Dr. Silver and his assistant wearing protective gowns and covers as well as non-latex nitrile gloves, face shields, and head/hair coverings. We use sealed, respiratory-grade masks to capture mercury and provide oxygen to the patient.
Office Protection
In addition to making every effort to protect our patients, Dr. Silver and his assistants from the dangerous toxins of mercury, we guarantee our office is safe as well. We comply with all regulations pertaining to proper handling, cleaning, and disposal of mercury-contaminated items. We have installed a high-volume air filtration system and amalgam separator for maximum protection.
Dentist Certification
Dr. Silver has completed all IAOMT coursework related to mercury and the removal of silver fillings. We want you to be confident, knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning, especially as it relates to the utilization of specific SMART equipment. As an accredited member of the IAOMT, Dr. Silver enrolls in its accreditation program annually to maintain his certification and stay up to date on all safety measures.
As we choose to put biocompatibility first, we look forward to practicing effective dentistry while providing patients with the safest experience for their overall health. Call us today to find out more at Jeffrey A. Silver, D.D.S., Inc. Phone Number (216) 464-1496!