Away with the 100 year old Silver-Mercury Filling Material ...

Here are Some Facts to Consider…

  • Mercury is considered a hazardous material
  • NO amount of mercury is considered to be a safe ingestion amount
  • Yet... Mercury leaches out of all silver fillings during the chewing process

Almost incredibly … the American Dental Association’s position on Mercury-Silver fillings in a “Cliffs-Notes” style synopsis is this… 

NO Mercury Fillings at Plaza Health DentistryBecause no study has been performed to show the harmful effects of mercury released from silver-mercury fillings .... therefore, this material should be considered “safe”.

To this we say, What!?  We have a proven harmful “heavy-metal” toxin that is considered by virtually any competent, state-of-the-art medical professional to be unsafe if ingested/inhaled at ANY level – and we are voluntarily packing it into patients’ teeth?  Only to watch it to become ingested or inhaled as we chew!  Incredulously, we say -- C'Mon Man!

PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry respects the opinion of the ADA, our “guiding light” organization.  Thus, we do not officially recommend the routine removal of silver-mercury fillings.  However, our patient education on the matter will not be deterred … allowing for an Informed Patient Choice .. as is always the case at PHD.

Putting aside, for a moment, the systemic health issues, here are a couple of more reasons why silver-mercury fillings are really a relic of the past (or at least should be).

  • They are metallic, thus they expand and contract significantly with exposure to hot/cold (think coffee/ice cream), which can help to cause tooth fractures. (coefficient of thermal expansion).
  • They are a 100+ year-old technology that relies on cutting undercuts into healthy tooth structure in order to get them to stay in place.  This weakens an already weak tooth.  Tooth fractures leading to more extensive and expensive dental treatment awaits (think root canals &/or crowns).
  • Their substitute material, composite resin, is non-metallic, tooth colored and is bonded to tooth structure, thereby strengthening the cut tooth surface.

FOOTNOTE –

Check this link out for the full statement of the ADA on this subject…. http://www.ada.org/1741.aspx

 

 

 

*Standard Disclaimer and Patient Information per: Missouri State Board Regulations as pertaining to Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic, Sedation & Implant Dentistry...

All are non-specialty interest areas that require no specific educational training to advertise. Drs. Schlotz and Von Rump are GENERAL DENTISTS and are engaged in the practice of GENERAL DENTISTRY in the State Of Missouri.  Thus, they are NOT licensed in the specialties of prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics or oral-maxillofacial surgery.

TMJ Treatment is a non-specialty area not recognized by the ADA and requires no specific educational training to advertise.

 

 

*Standard Disclaimer and Patient Information Regarding Oral Sedation and Dentistry performed under General Anesthesia (commonly referred to as Sleep Dentistry)

Conscious Sedation is taught as part of post graduate residency programs approved by the ADA.  Dr. Wm Schlotz and Von Rump have not completed such an ADA approved residency program.

 

It is a requirement (set forth by the Missouri Dental Board) that a licensed dentist be further licensed (Division of Professional Registration, State of Missouri) to perform oral sedation (aka Enteral Conscious Sedation) in the state of Missouri.  Dr. Schlotz and Team have taken the Mandatory Training and Education for this licensure which includes over 20 hrs of training and education in the area of Oral Sedation and Medical Emergency Management.  Dr. Schlotz and Team have also taken a 2nd Non-Mandatory course (of 25 hrs) in Oral Sedation and Emergency Medical Management.

Upon this licensure in the field of Oral Sedation, an "Enteral Conscious Sedation Permit" is thereby issued to licensee.  Dr. William J. Schlotz has received certification and has been issued License #2009005253.

 

PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry has received an ENTERAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION SITE CERTIFICATE issued by the Missouri Dental Board (certificate/license #2009004858).

Dr. Schlotz and Von Rump are not providers of Deep Sedation Dentistry (wherein the treating dentist is also responsible for the deep sedation - commonly referred to as "sleep dentistry").

General Dentistry at PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry is performed under General Anesthesia ONLY in concert with Premier Dental Anesthesiology (Board Certified MDs) as the attending caregivers and physicians of the general anesthesia. 

PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry has been issued, by the Missouri Dental Board, a DEEP SEDATION/GENERAL ANESTHESIA SITE CERTIFICATE (#2008025661).