Answer?  Leading-Edge Technology!

Regardless of which side of the amalgam-safety controversy seems most reasonable to you, OUR GOAL at Meetinghouse Dental Care is to provide the safest possible removal of mercury-silver fillings, especially as old restorations break down. 

There is, after all, NO question that amalgam fillings are 48-52% mercury.
 
Our Amalgam-Removal Technology and Protocol

• For the team, exposure to ambient mercury is occupational.  Our rubber-based masks have two filters, an outer one to trap the mercury particulates that can lodge in our lungs during amalgam removal and an inner one to filter mercury dust and vapor.

• We use a NARROW, ROUND-TIP BUR to section old amalgam fillings in the largest chunks possible in order to reduce release of mercury vapor, particulates, and dust.

• The ISOLITE INTRA-ORAL PROTECTOR connects directly to the high speed vac to pull mercury vapor, particulates, and dust from your breathing area (www.isolitesystems.com).  The Isolite replaces the Clean-Up suction tip you may find in other dental offices (we have it here too if you prefer it) as well as the traditional rubber dam. 

• Copious use of distilled, ozonated water during removal suppresses mercury vapor, particulates, and dust, helping to trap amalgam debris in the Isolite suction system.

• LG-2 IONIZERS from AESI-Air Defense in the ceiling of each restorative operatory capture mercury debris that escapes the Isolite.  LG-2 Ionizers create a continuous electrophoresis effect, negatively ionizing ambient particles to drive them toward positively-charged field collectors that render them inert electrically.  LG-2 Ionizers have been shown to reduce recordable ambient mercury levels to zero instantaneously.  (LG-2 Ionizers have also been shown to trap and neutralize airborne and blood borne pathogens, bacteria, pollen, allergens, hydro-carbons, and elemental metals.  They neutralize particles too small for HEPA filters, even to .001 micron.)  (AESI-Air Defense, American Environmental Systems, Inc., 2840 Wilderness Place, Boulder CO 80301.)

• The IQAIR DENTAL HG (MERCURY) FLEXVAC represents an extra precaution.  The flexible self-supporting suction arm of the FlexVac positions near your head to capture mercury vapor, particulates, and dust, reducing measurable ambient mercury debris (as well as drill aerosols, VOC’s, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, dust, viruses, bacteria, and microbial contaminates) to nearly zero.  The efficacy of the Isolite and LG-2 Ionizers renders the IQAir FlexVac unnecessary, but guests may find its inclusion comforting (www.iqair.us).  The combination of the Isolite, LG-2 Ionizers, and IQAir FlexVac eliminates the need for the nose-hood found in other offices. 

• Meticulous maintenance of equipment maximizes the efficiency of our technology, and we use ozonated water in our lines. 

• As post amalgam removal protocol, we apply MEDICAL-GRADE OXYGEN-OZONE to the site in the tooth from which we have removed decay.  Oxyge-ozone kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses prior to the placement of the final restoration.

Dr. Trovato is a certified participant in the national outcome study conducted by the American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry (ACIMD) on dental applications of medical grade oxygen-ozone therapy.  Meetinghouse Dental Care is a registered research facility.  Medical-dental oxygen/ozone creates a therapeutic oxygen-rich environment that induces a multi-factorial positive biochemical/physiologic change in affected tissues and kills bacteria, viruses and fungi.

• And what about the planet?   Pennsylvania does not yet require amalgam separators for dental offices.  Nevertheless, approximately 64% of the mercury load on city wastewater management comes from dentistry.  Our AMALGAMBOSS amalgam separator tests at a 99%+ capture rate.  It’s designed to keep municipal sludge mercury-free.  Research indicates that some 20 tons of mercury would not be discharged into the environment annually if every dental office had a separator installed on its water lines.

Conclusion?

The American Dental Association still considers amalgam fillings within standard-of-care dentistry. 

We simply provide the safest possible removal process, 
especially as old amalgams break down.

It’s technology that makes sense. 

Meetinghouse Dental Care
Louis L. Trovato, DDS, FAGD, FAACP, FICOI
Voted by Consumer's Research Council of America one of Nation's 2008 Top Dentists
Wendy M. Beratan, DMD
865 West County Line Road
Hatboro PA  19040
Phone: 215.293.0909
Visit our website for directions:
www.meetinghousedental.com