You are brushing your teeth and catch a glimpse of a dark silver area in the back of your mouth. You remember having the filling placed years ago, maybe even decades ago, and suddenly you start wondering what exactly has been sitting there all this time.
Dental amalgam restorations are made from a combination of metals, including mercury. For patients exploring biological dentistry, learning that often leads to an understandable question: should an old amalgam filling be removed?
At Colorado Dental Wellness Center, we believe that question deserves more than a quick yes or no.
We first look at the restoration itself. Is it still intact? Are the edges breaking down? Is there decay developing around it? Has the surrounding tooth started to crack? We also consider the condition of the remaining tooth structure, your dental history, and your personal concerns.
Biological dentistry encourages us to think carefully about the materials used in the mouth and the way dental procedures are performed. When an amalgam restoration needs to be removed, the process matters just as much as the decision to remove it.
Drilling into amalgam can release mercury vapor and small particles. That is why Colorado Dental Wellness Center follows the SMART Protocol, or Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.
SMART is designed to reduce unnecessary exposure during amalgam removal for both the patient and the dental team. The protocol incorporates multiple protective measures, including isolation of the treatment area, high-volume suction, water cooling, air filtration, and additional protective barriers throughout the procedure.
For us, this is an important part of biological dentistry.
It is not simply about taking an old material out. It is about being thoughtful about how that material is removed and what will be used to restore the tooth afterward.
Once the amalgam has been safely removed, the next step is just as individualized. The strength of the remaining tooth, the size and location of the restoration, bite forces, material properties, sensitivities, and long-term dental needs can all influence which restorative option makes the most sense.
No two teeth are exactly alike, and no two patients are either.
There is no reason to feel pressured into a decision simply because you discover that you have an old silver filling. There is every reason to understand its condition, ask questions, and learn what your options are.
At Colorado Dental Wellness Center, Dr. Atousa Safavi approaches amalgam removal with both safety and the bigger picture in mind. When removal is appropriate, we use the SMART Protocol as part of our commitment to thoughtful, wellness-focused biological dentistry.
If you have been looking at an old silver restoration and wondering whether it deserves a closer look, bring that question with you.
Sometimes the most empowering first step is not removing something. It is understanding what is there and making an informed decision about what comes next.
