Dr. Afsoon Gerayli DDS.

Metal Free Dentistry

Smile Transformation Specialist

Recipient of the 2014 Los Angeles Top Rated Doctors Award

UCLA graduate and an Award-winning general & Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles, CA.

metal free dentistry

Almost every individual has at least one dental amalgam. Some have a whole mouthful. There are, however, legitimate concerns why a patient may not choose to have dental work done that uses metal materials.

A chemical reaction occurs when dental metal mixes with saliva, which has a tendency to produce electrical currents and cause electrolysis-related corrosion. These electrical currents also produce electro-magnetic waves which can interfere with normal brainwave patterns as has been found in EEG research. Electromagnetic brainwave interference may change the autonomic nervous system (ANS), lower immunity, increase nervous tension, in extreme cases, possibly produce Parkinson's, MS, or Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms. Mercury is converted into mercury methyl by certain bacteria located inside of the mouth and intestines and is 100 times more toxic. This bacteria continues to convert methyl mercury inside your body the older your silver fillings are according to scientific research.

The general rule of metal-free dentistry is NOT to use compounds containing any metals, metal crowns, or restorations, unless it is absolutely necessary for the patient which they will be made aware of before treatment. If a patient needs implants, the dentist can use a specially coated compound to significantly offset the effects (implants require the use of titanium), to the patient’s normal biological systems as much as possible. Metal-free dentistry also removes and replaces the patient’s metal materials with biologically friendly (biocompatible) materials, with the intention to improve and strengthen the patient’s oral health and immune system.

Toxicity of Mercury

People are being exposed to greater levels of environmental toxins such as lead and mercury every year. They are insidious poisons that affect people in various ways and level of severity. Metal fillings in the mouth eventually wear away because they must endure heavy biting forces on a daily basis; they leak, crack, and can fracture the teeth as they get older. Metal amalgam fillings swell and break away from the tooth as they absorb water which makes the tooth more vulnerable to decay and tenderness. The following reasons explain why removing mercury amalgam fillings or replacing your restorations is a good idea to bring your body and teeth health back into balance:

  • Exposing cold and hot extremes inside your mouth can cause amalgam fillings to expand and contract. This ongoing occurrence might create cracks as well as fractures in teeth, causing the teeth to become hypersensitive when you bite down or chew. It’s not unusual for a patients to crack a tooth even when they’ve eaten soft food due to long term wear and of the amalgam fillings.
  • Silver fillings that are under frequent chewing pressure are susceptible to metal fatigue; this happens when the metal has finally reached its breaking point.
  • Metal fillings are not cemented and exert more force the longer they sit inside of the tooth cavity. For this reason, cracks and fractures may eventually start to form on the remaining weakened outer surfaces of the tooth.
  • Silver fillings require the dentist to drill and remove (undercut) a good amount of the tooth’s structure to keep the mercury amalgam repair from coming out since it is not bonded straight to the tooth. These undercuts could cause the future cracking of teeth at some point, leading to crowning the tooth or removing it.
  • There is an ongoing debate inside the dental industry regarding the negative effects of mercury amalgam fillings. Although the placement of mercury amalgam fillings is not considered harmful by the American Dental Association (ADA), many countries overseas actually prohibit the use of fillings containing mercury, to eliminate potential hazards related to this toxic metal for its use in dental restoration.

The Cost of Mercury Removal

Many people want their metal fillings taken out and swapped for tooth-colored fillings. The cost of your mercury removal is dependent upon the number and the dimensions of the fillings to be replaced, and material chosen for the replacement fillings, among others factors. A full estimate of the costs involved will be explained by Dr. Afsoon Gerayli before any treatment begins.

Porcelain

It’s a good idea to upgrade to a tooth-colored porcelain filling or resin composite filling because your tooth can usually be treated more gently with less healthy tooth structure requiring trimming in the process. Porcelain is used for crowns, veneers, and many other dental restorations. Porcelain is considered the ideal dental material, because it is very durable and beautiful. Moreover, porcelain has an opalescent surface and light handling properties similar to tooth enamel.

Porcelain applications help the dentist retain the greatest amount of virgin tooth structure as possible. Unlike with metal fillings, porcelain fillings are actually bonded to the tooth preparation area which seals and protects the edges of the tooth from invading bacteria. Patients who are experiencing biting pain and hot/cold sensitivity can now take advantage of conservative, innovative non-metal treatments to minimize the side effects of toothaches and broken teeth caused by old mercury amalgam fillings.