Smiles by Hillside
120 Bittacy Rise, Mill Hill, NW7 2HL
Tel: 020 8346 0668
Mercury free dentistry
- Why mercury-free?
- Symptoms of mercury poisoning
- Amalgam and pregnancy
- Europe
- What to do if you are concerned about your current or proposed amalgam fillings?
Why mercury-free?
For a long time, dentists used amalgam as dental fillings. In recent years, it has been discovered that this black/silver substance is actually harmful to one's health and could lead to toxicity-related illnesses. The most at risk are children and lactating or pregnant women. If you are looking for mercury-free fillings, our dental practice can provide you with a wide selection that includes ceramics, composites and other mercury-free material.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning
Negative reactions to mercury will vary from individual to individual. Many symptoms of mercury poisoning could equally be attributed to other causes. This is believed to be one of the reasons why mercury is still used in dental amalgam. Reactions to mercury in fillings may appear up to five years later making, it difficult to diagnose their cause. Common symptoms are chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, irritability, a metallic taste in the mouth, tremor in the hands, depression, headaches, early vision deterioration and increased salivation.
The metal attacks the brain and the central nervous system producing symptoms which include nervousness and irritability, lack of concentration, loss of memory and self-confidence, mood swings, anxiety, depression, fatigue and insomnia. There has also been preliminary research showing that mercury affects the immune system by changing the balance of T-cells, impairing their performance.
Amalgam and pregnancy
Research carried out in 1994 by Gustav Drasch, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Munich, has shown a direct correlation between the number of amalgam fillings in the mother and the levels of mercury found in the brain, liver and kidneys of stillborn children and dead foetuses. Such concentrations are possible because mercury, like other toxic substances and drugs, can cross the placental barrier to the unborn foetus.
Europe
An increasing number of European countries including Sweden, Germany and Austria, are banning or restricting the use of dental amalgam. There will be a European Union directive in about two years, which is expected to give the right for countries to forbid the use of amalgam.
What to do if you are concerned about your current or proposed amalgam fillings?
The British Dental Association now accepts that an estimated 3% of the population may be hypersensitive to mercury amalgam and have a reaction. If you believe you may be one of these, or would like to ensure that any future fillings are mercury-free, you should visit our dental practice and we will replace your mercury fillinsg with mercury free alternatives.
Dr Kozhaya Assaker
DDS, Oral Surgery, Implantology
Smiles by Hillside
If you are interested in mercury free dentistry – please call us on 020 8346 0668 or send us a message through a form on our site for your FREE inital chat!
Our practice is in Mill Hill and we are conveniently located for these areas:
- Mill Hill
- Hampstead
- Golders Green
- Whetstone
- Barnet
- Borehamwood
- Harrow weald
- Brent Cross
- Colindale
- Stanmore
- Finchley
- Arkley
- Hendon
- Edgware
- Kingsbury
- all North London areas
