Tooth illustration showing safe amalgam filling removal and restoration

Removing Mercury Fillings the Right Way

At Dr. Roxanne Salavati's Beverly Hills practice, the safe removal of old silver amalgam fillings is approached with the same level of precision and biological care that defines every aspect of holistic dentistry. Amalgam fillings contain mercury, a known neurotoxin, and removing them without the proper protective protocols can release significant mercury vapor and particles — exposing both patient and dental team to unnecessary risk.

Dr. Salavati follows the SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) protocol, a rigorous, evidence-based system specifically designed to minimize mercury exposure throughout the removal process. If you are ready to replace old amalgam fillings with safer, biocompatible alternatives, our Beverly Hills office offers one of the most thorough and protective removal protocols available.

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What Is the SMART Protocol?

SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, a comprehensive, internationally recognized protocol developed to protect patients and dental staff from mercury exposure during the removal of amalgam fillings.

Silver amalgam fillings are composed of approximately 50% mercury, along with silver, tin, and copper. While intact fillings are generally considered stable, the act of drilling and removing them generates mercury vapor and microscopic particles that can be inhaled or absorbed if proper precautions are not taken. The SMART protocol addresses every stage of this risk, from the air you breathe in the treatment room to the water and surfaces in contact with your mouth, ensuring the removal process is as safe as modern dentistry allows.

The Specific Techniques Used in Safe Amalgam Removal

Isolation with a Rubber Dam

High-Volume Suction & Clean Air Delivery

Sectioning Technique

Copious Water Irrigation & Cooling

Protective Barriers for Skin & Clothing

Air Filtration & Ozone Support

Post-Removal Detox Support

1

Isolation with a Rubber Dam

A non-latex rubber dam is placed to completely isolate the tooth being treated, preventing mercury particles and vapor from contacting your gums, cheeks, tongue, or being swallowed during the procedure.

2

High-Volume Suction & Clean Air Delivery

Specialized high-volume suction is used continuously throughout the procedure to capture mercury vapor and particles at the source. Clean air supply, often delivered via nasal mask, ensures you are breathing filtered air rather than air from the treatment room.

3

Sectioning Technique

Rather than drilling the filling out as a whole, which generates excessive heat and vapor, Dr. Salavati removes the amalgam in large, controlled sections. This significantly reduces the amount of mercury vapor released during the procedure.

4

Copious Water Irrigation & Cooling

Continuous water irrigation is used to keep the filling material cool during removal, minimizing vaporization, while also flushing away particles before they can be inhaled or absorbed.

5

Protective Barriers for Skin & Clothing

Patients are provided with a full-body covering and protective eyewear to prevent any contact between mercury particles and skin or clothing throughout the procedure.

6

Air Filtration & Ozone Support

High-efficiency air filtration systems actively remove airborne mercury vapor from the treatment room. Ozonated water rinses are used following removal to support a clean, biologically optimized healing environment at the treatment site.

7

Post-Removal Detox Support

Following amalgam removal, Dr. Salavati may recommend supportive guidance, including nutritional and hydration recommendations, to assist your body's natural detoxification process in the days following your procedure.

Why Safe Removal Matters

Removing amalgam fillings without proper precautions can do more harm than leaving them in place. Drilling releases a concentrated burst of mercury vapor that can be inhaled directly into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream, a risk that conventional removal methods do not adequately address.

This is precisely why the SMART protocol exists. By controlling every variable, air quality, water flow, isolation, and removal technique, Dr. Salavati ensures that the process of becoming mercury-free does not come at the cost of new mercury exposure. For patients concerned about the long-term health effects of mercury, including potential links to neurological, immune, and inflammatory concerns, safe removal is not optional. It is essential.

Safe Amalgam Removal in Beverly Hills & Greater Los Angeles

Dr. Salavati's holistic prosthodontic practice is located at 436 N Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills and serves patients seeking safe, mercury-conscious dental care from across Los Angeles, including West Hollywood, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Century City, and the greater LA area.

Ready to safely remove your mercury fillings with a protocol designed to protect your health every step of the way? Call (310) 276-8897 or request an appointment online today.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Safe Amalgam Removal (SMART)

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