Mercury filling removal west kelowna

Amalgam fillings removal - Why you should care about it

Mercury is a neurotoxin and as such can contribute to a number of health problems. Scientific research has shown that exposure to mercury (which makes up 50% of amalgam fillings) can potentially lead to:

Mood swings
Insomnia
Headaches/Migraines
Tremors
Endometriosis
High blood pressure
Skin rashes
Loss of coordination
Impairment of speech, hearing, and/or sight
Muscle weakness and atrophy
Cognitive impairment
Kidney malfunction
Respiratory distress
Death.

While it’s not likely that the more serious side effects on this list will occur from having an old amalgam filling replaced, mercury can build up in the body over time.

Should you just avoid having your amalgam fillings removed?

Actually, with every bite you take and every time you grind your teeth, a little bit of mercury enters your bloodstream. After a while, this can lead to health problems, like headaches. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but it is a possibility.

That’s why it’s important to get these fillings removed in the safest manner possible.

We start by making sure we have a good air filtration system in the room where the procedure will take place. When possible, we work with open windows as well.

Are you thinking of having your mercury dental fillings removed in West-Kelowna?

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Why are white fillings better?

With the advent, and now the affordability of, composite fillings, more people are asking their dentists to provide them with tooth-coloured fillings.

In fact, some people even ask their dentists to remove their old amalgam fillings and replace them with white fillings.

In my West-Kelowna dental practice, I avoid using amalgam filling material completely. But I’m also leery of removing old fillings because of the health implications to the patient, myself, and my team.

That’s why I decided to become SMART certified. This stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique and I have been using this technique for 3 years now.

What’s involved in safe amalgam fillings removal? And how does this relate to holistic dental care?

Why we made the decision to become a SMART certified office

What is SMART certification?

This is a certification provided through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, or IAOMT.

In order to qualify for this certification, I adhere to the “rigorous recommendations” for amalgam fillings removal developed by the IAOMT.

Their goals and recommendations align with my holistic dental care goals for my practice. I want to reduce the risk of mercury exposure, both to my patients and to my team and the environment.

In other words, the people in my care will have less risk of adverse health reactions due to mercury exposure.

When I look at my patients, I don’t just see a set of teeth. My team and I see each patient that comes into my practice as a whole person. We want to do all we can to care for their body, mind, and spirit.

To accomplish that, I implement holistic, homeopathic, and science-based principles into the diagnosis and treatment of my patients.

Amalgam filling removal creates mercury vapors and particles. It’s extremely easy to inhale these vapors, which can then be absorbed into the body through the lungs.

Removing these fillings incorrectly can expose my patients, my team, and myself to the potentially harmful effects of mercury. Would you like to make an appointment for a mercury filling removal?

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What patients say about Kelowna Holistic Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer

[These are actual Google Reviews]

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Your safety – Our top priority

My dental team and I wear protective gowns and provide them for our patients, too. Additionally, my assistant and I wear protective masks, face shields, hair covers, and gloves.

We cover the patient’s nose with an impermeable barrier, like an oxygen mask so they don’t inhale any of the amalgam vapors during the procedure.

Then, we cover the oral cavity with a dental dam, which significantly reduces the amount of amalgam particles entering the mouth. Multiple suction devices are also used to capture particles and vapors.

Once the procedure is complete, we thoroughly rinse and suction the patient’s mouth and give them vitamin C and charcoal pills. These are taken to help the body clear any mercury that may have accidentally entered the blood stream.

Interested in a holistic approach to dental care?

Holistic dental care is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s no wonder.

Our environment impacts our health. Reducing the amount of exposure we receive from toxic substances is important if we want to protect ourselves from illness and injury.

Thankfully, the dental community is on board with finding healthful ways to provide dental treatment and care.

If you’d like more information regarding safer amalgam fillings removal or other holistic dental care options, don’t hesitate to ask.

My team and I are happy to provide you with information regarding best dental care practices and providing you with safe, quality dental services.

Do you want to avoid getting fillings in the first place? With regular dental examinations, we can find and treat dental issues in the earliest stages and can even help prevent some of them. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Should I get my mercury fillings removed?

With the potential health risks of mercury becoming well known, many people are seeking the removal of their silver fillings. At Health and Beauty Dentistry in West-Kelowna, we are SMART certified and can assist in safely removing silver fillings in a way that protects both the patient, and our staff, from mercury exposure.

What keeping silver fillings could mean for your health

Mercury (which makes up 50% of amalgam fillings) is highly toxic and even little bits of it released into the bloodstream can cause it to travel to the entire body. Possible health risks due to the exposure to mercury over time include:

Mood swings
Insomnia
Headaches/Migraines
Tremors
Endometriosis
High blood pressure
Skin rashes
Loss of coordination
Impairment of speech, hearing, and/or sight
Muscle weakness and atrophy
Cognitive impairment
Kidney malfunction
Respiratory distress

What is SMART and why is it important?

SMART is a certification provided through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, or IAOMT. SMART stands for the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique.

Following a SMART procedure when dealing with amalgam removals ensures that both the patient, and the dental team, are well protected from the release of mercury during and after the treatment.

Complying with federal, provincial, and local regulations and using the latest technologies ensures that all necessary precautions are taken and that you are safe from all risk, from start to end of the procedure.

How do you reduce exposure to toxins during treatment?

To protect the patient during the procedure, a full-body impermeable barrier is used. Our dental team will wear protective masks, face shields, hair covers, and gloves.
The amalgam is cut into large chunks in order to minimize mercury vapor exposure and reduce drilling.
A charcoal rinse may be given prior to the procedure to ensure that any mercury particles passing through the mouth are captured and later eliminated.
We cover the patient’s nose with an impermeable barrier, like an oxygen mask so they don’t inhale any of the amalgam vapors during the procedure.
A latex free dental dam will be placed and securely sealed in the mouth to isolate the teeth being treated and prevent particles from falling inside the mouth.
An air filtration system will be used in the treatment room. When possible, we work with open windows as well.
Vitamin C and charcoal pills are given to the patient to take after the procedure to help the body excrete any mercury that may have entered the body during the procedure before it settles in the tissues.

Don’t take any unnecessary risk. Have your mercury dental fillings removed as soon as possible to avoid toxic materials entering your body. Make an appointment today.

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Why choose Dr. Shauna Palmer?

Switch to a holistic approach

End Holistic Dentistry confusion
Don’t continue unhealthy dentistry
Avoid putting toxic chemicals into your body
Stop treating symptoms only, treat the causes
Forget about a one size fits all approach to dentistry

Live healthier, happier and longer

Take control over what goes into your mouth and body
Strive for the oral health you’ve always wanted
Find clarity about healthy, natural, holistic dentistry
Enjoy feeling better about yourself
Choose a healthier life!

Make an appointment today!

Health & Beauty Dentistry

white fillings west kelowna

What are white fillings?

A composite resin is a tooth-coloured plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide). Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not resilient enough to resist the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth.

Since then, composite white fillings have been considerably improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used for restoring your teeth when decay occurs, but are also for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping flawed teeth.

What are the advantages of white fillings?

Most patients who choose composite fillings do so because of the cosmetic benefits. We can create a filling that is matched to the shade of your teeth, so your fillings will blend seamlessly into your smile.

Like all fillings, composites protect your teeth after decay is removed to prevent breakage of the remaining tooth structure. These fillings also help to prevent sensitivity that can occur after the decayed portion of the tooth is removed.

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Why choose composite white fillings vs. silver fillings?

Composite fillings allow us to preserve more of the natural tooth structure. This is because composite materials chemically bond to the surface of the tooth like an adhesive.

The process takes slightly longer to complete than traditional amalgam fillings, but patients can preserve more of the natural portion of the teeth while enjoying a restoration that is discreet and understated.

Are white fillings safe?

White composite fillings are increasingly used as an alternative to silver-mercury fillings, largely due to their aesthetic appeal, and because of mercury concerns. However, there have been claims that composite resin fillings may be damaging to health.

Tooth-coloured composite fillings typically are comprised of three components: inorganic fillers, a resin matrix, and coupling agents. The resin matrices for most dental composite resins today contain Bis-GMA, which is made from the Bisphenol-A (BPA) monomer that is believed to induce similar effects to estrogen in the human body.

Some studies have found evidence of BPA in the saliva of patients following fillings or sealants. Although the presumed effects of BPA could be most harmful to children and infants, because of their underdeveloped immune systems, experts are not certain whether this level of exposure constitutes any health risk to fetuses, children, or adults.

As a biological dentist, we have minimized the risk of BPA by using only non-BPA/Bis-GMA composite resin fillings in our practice.

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What patients say about Kelowna Holistic Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer

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White dental fillings at Health & Beauty Dentistry in West Kelowna

If you’re looking for a white filling in West Kelowna, look no further than Dr. Shauna Palmer at Health and Beauty Dentistry.

White fillings are made of tooth-coloured materials that are used to fill cavities and repair tooth decay. They are also used to remove old dental amalgam fillings. Many people choose white fillings because they are less visible than silver fillings, and they may also be less likely to cause allergic reactions.

These days, there are so many options available when it comes to dental filling materials! For example, composite resin (tooth coloured) or porcelain (offers great cosmetic benefits). All these different types of dental fillings have pros and cons which is why choosing the right type for your teeth can be difficult.

The best way to find out which one is right for you is by consulting with your dentist at Health and Beauty Dentistry!