SAFE Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)
SAFE Mercury Removal.
Thoughtful Dentistry.
A Whole-Body Perspective.
SAFE Mercury Removal. Thoughtful Dentistry. A Whole-Body Perspective.
Concerned About Your Silver Fillings? Start With a More Thoughtful Approach.
Your dental care should consider more than your teeth. It should consider you.
Whether you're concerned about old silver fillings, exploring mercury-free dentistry, or looking for a holistic dentist who understands the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, you deserve to feel confident about your choices.
At Lotus Dental Wellness, we take a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to mercury amalgam removal.
Our SAFE Mercury Amalgam Removal process follows the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology's (IAOMT) SMART Protocol, a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to minimize exposure to mercury vapor and particles during amalgam removal.
With two IAOMT SMART-certified dentists, Dr. Shepard DeLong and Dr. Jeeyoung Han, and a carefully established office protocol, we take precautions at every stage of the procedure.
Because how something is removed matters just as much as what replaces it.
What Are Mercury Amalgam Fillings, and Why Does Removal Matter?
You probably know them as silver fillings. These dental restorations are called amalgam fillings, and they contain a combination of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and elemental mercury.
In fact, dental amalgam is approximately 50% mercury by weight.
Amalgam fillings can release small amounts of mercury vapor over time, particularly during activities such as chewing or grinding. The removal process can temporarily increase exposure to mercury vapor and particles.
This doesn't mean every silver filling needs to come out. In fact, the FDA does not recommend removing intact amalgam fillings solely to prevent disease, because doing so can unnecessarily remove healthy tooth structure and increase exposure during removal.
What matters is understanding your individual situation and taking appropriate precautions when removal is indicated.
At Lotus, we look at the condition of your existing fillings, the health of your teeth, your personal health history, and your treatment goals before making recommendations.
Our goal isn't to convince you that you need more dental work. It's to help you make informed decisions about the dental materials and procedures that affect your health.
What Makes SAFE Mercury Removal Different?
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Patient isolation and protective barriers
We use a properly sealed, non-latex nitrile dental dam and protective barriers to isolate the treatment area.
This helps prevent amalgam particles and debris from contacting the surrounding mouth and tissues while the old filling is removed.
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A separate source of breathing air
During the procedure, the patient receives an alternative source of breathing air through a nasal delivery system.
This provides air separately from the immediate treatment environment and helps reduce inhalation of mercury vapor generated during removal.
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High-volume suction and air filtration
Specialized high-volume suction and at-source air filtration capture vapor and particles as close as possible to where they are generated.
Our goal is to remove airborne material before it can spread throughout the treatment environment.
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Cool water and careful filling removal
Continuous water cooling helps control heat during the procedure.
Rather than unnecessarily grinding the filling into fine particles, the dentist sections the amalgam and removes it in larger pieces whenever possible.
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Protection for our dental team and environment
Mercury protection extends beyond the patient.
Our dental team uses appropriate protective equipment, including gowns, gloves, face protection, and respiratory protection. We also follow careful room cleanup, air filtration, and appropriate handling and disposal of mercury-containing materials.
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Thorough rinsing and post-removal cleanup
Once the amalgam has been removed, the treatment area is thoroughly flushed.
We also follow the IAOMT-recommended post-removal rinsing and cleanup procedures, including the use of an appropriate adsorbent rinse, to help clear remaining particles from the mouth.
What Sets Us Apart
People-First Approach
Everything we do is built around understanding your needs and helping you succeed—because when you thrive, so do we.
Long-Term Relationships
We’re not just here for the now. We love creating lasting relationships with our clients and growing with them over time.
Proven Process, Flexible Execution
We bring structure where it counts and adaptability where it matters. Our methods are clear, but always responsive.