The Science Archives

Based on up-to-date scientific research, the IAOMT has developed rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillings to assist in reducing the potential negative health outcomes of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, dental students, office staff, and others. The IAOMT’s recommendations are known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). To learn more about the science behind SMART, choose from one of these two options.

To access scientific research related to the specific engineering controls used at the dental office to mitigate mercury exposures during amalgam removal, click on the button below:

INSERT BUTTON READING: Selected Research Relevant to SMART

To read the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique with scientific citations, click on the button below:

INSERT BUTTON READING: SMART Recommendations with Citations

Mercury exposure in the work place and human health: dental amalgam use in dentistry

Mercury exposure in the work place and human health: dental amalgam use in dentistry

The focus areas of the study were Hg amalgam toxicity, its waste management practices and safety measures practiced among the dental practitioners. In the light of the findings described and discussed in this brief report, to safeguard public health and for the protection of environment, it is strongly recommended that since mercury amalgam use cannot be banned immediately in the country, its use may be regularized and allowed subject to use of “Amalgam Separators,” “Capsulated Mercury” and “Mechanized Mixing,” use of mercury amalgam be banned for children (below 12 years age) and pregnant women. The curriculum currently being taught at medical and dental colleges in the country be reviewed and revised, to ensure adequate training towards minimizing mercury exposure.

theSMARTchoice2019-01-11T05:37:35+00:00March 1st, 2016|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2016, Reviews on Environmental Health, selected-research|

Safe removal of amalgam fillings in dental clinic: use of synergic nasal filters (active carbon) and phytonaturals

Safe removal of amalgam fillings in dental clinic: use of synergic nasal filters (active carbon) and phytonaturals

Thus, dentist and patient should have been encouraged to avoid risk factors associated with unnecessary exposure to mercury during/after removal amalgam fillings. Mercury exposure from amalgam fillings is dramatically increased by chewing, eating, brushing, and drinking hot liquids. To avoid this, the use of safe protocols for dental filling removal together with (the synergic) use of nasal filters (active carbon) and nutritional supplements (i.e.: Curcuma longa, Clorella, Desmodium….) would enhance endogenous detoxification capacities against heavy metals in patients before / during / after removal of dental amalgam.

theSMARTchoice2020-01-25T21:26:16+00:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2015, International Journal of Science and Research, selected-research|

Longitudinal analysis of the association between removal of dental amalgam, urine mercury and 14 self-reported health symptoms

Longitudinal analysis of the association between removal of dental amalgam, urine mercury and 14 self-reported health symptoms

At baseline, individuals with dental amalgam fillings have double the measured urine mercury compared to a control group of persons who have never had amalgam fillings. Removal of amalgam fillings decreases measured urine mercury to levels in persons without amalgam fillings. Although urine mercury levels in our sample are considered by Health Canada to be too low to pose health risks, removal of amalgam fillings reduced the likelihood of self-reported symptom deterioration and increased the likelihood of symptom improvement in comparison to people who retained their amalgam fillings.

theSMARTchoice2022-12-13T19:17:11+00:00December 1st, 2014|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2014, Environmental Health, selected-research|

Mercury vapour exposure during dental student training in amalgam removal

Mercury vapour exposure during dental student training in amalgam removal

To maximize safety, dental schools should train students to remove amalgam only while using water spray and high volume suction. Alternatively, students should use appropriate occupational hygiene personal protective equipment during amalgam removals.

theSMARTchoice2022-12-07T21:46:39+00:00December 1st, 2013|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2013, Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, selected-research|

ADA Professional Product Review-Executive Summary: An Evaluation of Amalgam Separators

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intention to propose a rule to reduce mercury waste produced by dental offices. The agency intends to focus its technology assessment on amalgam separators and is preparing a regulatory proposal for review. Amalgam separators are devices designed to capture amalgam particles from dental office wastewater before it is discharged into the public sewer system.

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:22:18+00:00August 1st, 2012|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2012, Journal of the American Dental Association, selected-research|

A safe protocol for amalgam removal

Today’s environment has diﬀerent impacts on our body than previous generations. Heavy metals are a growing concern in medicine. Doctors and individuals request the removal of their amalgam (silver mercury) restorations due to the high mercury content. A safe protocol to replace the silver mercury ﬁlling will ensure that there is minimal if any absorption of materials while being removed. Strong alternative white composite and lab-processed materials are available today to create a healthy and functioning mouth. Preparation of the patient prior to the procedure and after treatment is vital to establish the excretion of the mercury from the body.

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:19:58+00:00January 1st, 2012|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2012, Journal of Environmental and Public Health, selected-research|

Effects from exposure to dental amalgam on systemic mercury levels in patients and dental school students

Results: A statistically significant difference was found among dependent groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0038), whereas mercury levels increased considerably after the first occupational contact of all subjects. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to dental amalgam poses a potential risk of increasing systemic mercury levels, although urine mercury levels in all the sample participants were below the limits of biologic tolerance.

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:17:31+00:00October 1st, 2010|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2010, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, selected-research|

Blood mercury level and its determinants among dental practitioners in Hamadan, Iran

The mean blood concentration of mercury was 6.3 μg/l (SD=1.31 range 4.15–8.93). BML was positively associated with age, years in practice, working hours per day, number of amalgam restorations per day, number of amalgam removal per week, sea food consumption, working years in present office, using amalgam powder, using diamond bur for amalgam removal, dry sterilization of amalgam contaminated instruments, and deficient air ventilation.

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:10:27+00:00June 1st, 2010|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2010, Iran), Journal of dentistry (Tehran, selected-research|

Air quality in the endodontist’s dental surgery

Amalgam waste storage is done in a leak-proof, plastic container filled with water until disposed according to manufacturer instructions (Nixon and Rowbotham 1971, Mantyla and Wright 1976, Johnson 1978). Habitual amalgamator checks for cracks and mercury leakage is crucial (Langworth et al. 1997, Brown and Sherriff 2002).

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:05:24+00:00January 1st, 2009|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2009, New Zealand Endodontic Journal, selected-research|

Design and evaluation of a filter-based chairside amalgam separation system

This study evaluated the ability of a chairside filtration system to remove particulate-based mercury (Hg) from dental-unit wastewater. Prototypes of the chairside filtration system were designed and fabricated using reusable filter chambers with disposable filter elements. The system was installed in five dental operatories utilizing filter elements with nominal pore sizes of 50μm, 15μm, 1μm, 0.5μm, or with no system installed (control).

theSMARTchoice2018-03-12T00:01:38+00:00June 1st, 2008|Categories: The Science|Tags: 2008, Science of the Total Environment, selected-research|

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