For decades, silver amalgam fillings were the standard treatment for dental cavities. However, amalgam fillings are composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury by weight. At BB Dental Care in Burbank, Dr. Bryanna Hubbard provides rigorous safe amalgam removal protocols designed to minimize mercury vapor exposure and replace compromised fillings with durable, biocompatible, tooth-colored restorations.

Whether you are replacing older silver fillings due to recurrent decay, micro-fracturing of your natural tooth structure, or a personal desire to eliminate heavy metals from your body, our practice prioritizes whole-body wellness at every step.

Why Consider Replacing Silver Amalgam Fillings?

  • Tooth Fractures & Structural Cracking: Metal fillings expand and contract with temperature changes (hot coffee, cold water) faster than natural tooth enamel. Over time, this mechanical wedge effect creates micro-fractures in the surrounding tooth that can cause the tooth to split.
  • Concealed Secondary Decay: Amalgam does not bond adhesively to enamel; it is held in place solely by mechanical friction. Over years, saliva and bacteria seep underneath the margins, causing deep cavities that remain hidden from plain sight until extensive damage occurs.
  • Mercury Vapor Concerns: Chewing, brushing, and drinking hot liquids release trace amounts of mercury vapor from amalgam fillings over their lifetime.
  • Discoloration & Graying Enamel: Metallic corrosion products frequently leach into adjacent dentin, staining the natural tooth structure a dark gray or bluish tint.
  • Modern Aesthetic Appeal: Replacing dark, noticeable metal spots with seamless, luminous tooth-colored composite resin or ceramic restores the natural beauty of your smile.

Our Safe Amalgam Removal Safety Protocol

Removing an amalgam filling without proper containment creates airborne aerosols and mercury vapor. Dr. Hubbard employs specialized biological safety precautions to protect both the patient and the clinical team:

1. Complete Dental Dam Isolation

A non-latex rubber dam seals off the tooth, preventing any amalgam particles, slurry, or debris from entering your mouth or being swallowed.

2. Copious Water Irrigation

Continuous chilled water irrigation floods the tooth surface during removal to suppress heat generation and significantly reduce mercury vaporization.

3. High-Volume Aerosol Evacuation (HVE)

Specialized high-volume suction tips are positioned directly beside the filling to immediately capture particles and vapor at the point of origin.

4. Sectioning Technique ("Chunking")

Instead of grinding the filling into fine dust, Dr. Hubbard precisely sections the amalgam into large chunks, minimizing aerosolization and preserving tooth structure.

Biocompatible Replacement Options

Once the metal filling is safely removed and any residual decay is eradicated, Dr. Hubbard restores the tooth with advanced biocompatible materials:

  • BPA-Free Composite Resin: For small to moderate cavities, high-density resin matches your exact tooth shade and bonds micro-mechanically, reinforcing remaining enamel.
  • Porcelain Inlays & Onlays: For teeth with extensive structural loss where a simple filling is insufficient, custom lab-milled ceramic inlays preserve healthy enamel without requiring a full crown.
  • Custom Ceramic Crowns: If the underlying tooth suffered deep structural fracture lines under the amalgam, a full-coverage ceramic crown cushions and seals the tooth against splitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I replace all my silver fillings at once?

Unless you are experiencing an acute medical condition or multiple active cavities, we typically recommend a phased approach. Dr. Hubbard evaluates each filling with digital x-rays and transillumination, prioritizing fillings that exhibit active leakage, structural tooth cracks, or secondary decay first.

Is safe amalgam removal covered by dental insurance?

If an amalgam filling has active recurrent decay, marginal breakdown, or fractures the tooth, PPO dental insurance typically provides coverage for replacement with a tooth-colored resin filling or crown. We verify your insurance benefits to ensure maximum reimbursement.

What should I expect after my filling is replaced?

Because our procedure is conservative and performed under gentle local anesthesia, recovery is fast. You may notice mild, temporary temperature sensitivity for a few days as the nerve adapts to the new restoration, after which your tooth will feel natural and strong.

Are your replacement materials non-toxic and BPA-free?

Yes. In alignment with our holistic and biological philosophy, we utilize premier composite and ceramic materials that are free from BPA, bis-GMA derivatives, and toxic heavy metals.