Going Green
Safe Removal of Dental Amalgam Fillings
Mercury can have adverse effects if too much is absorbed
into the body—and some patients with certain neurological
conditions may be more vulnerable than others. The Dental
Group has established very strict protocols for safely dealing
with the removal of silver amalgam fillings, which contain
about 50% mercury along with other heavy metals.
We begin with careful evaluation and imaging, along with
functional assessment to determine the health issues facing
each patient. In addition, dental material compatibility tests
are performed, and removal strategies are determined.
During the actual removal process, we have multiple safeguards
in place to prevent absorption or inhalation of materials.
Not only do we employ a device in the mouth at the
removal site to suck out pulverized amalgam, we also place a
high-speed suction device with charcoal filters in front of the
mouth to divert mercury vapor. Patients are also provided
with clean air via a nose mask to prevent vapor inhalation.
Additionally, we utilize methods that minimize vaporization.
Slower speed drills reduce heat generation. We also use copious
amounts of water to cool the drill and help contain amalgam
dust. Other precautions include isolation of the site with
a rubber dam, the use of a saliva ejector, and slow-speed hand
suction techniques to remove small traces of amalgam.
Our staff will provide each patient with complete guidelines,
safety information and details of these and other protocols.
Even with these safeguards, however, there is still an element
of risk involved in the removal of amalgam fillings. If you have
any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask any
of our knowledgeable and caring staff for assistance.
“Paperless” Office: More Efficient for Our Practice
…and Our Environment!
We’ve all heard talk of a “paperless” society since the beginnings
of computer integration into every aspect of life. Still
paper remains an office necessity for some essential tasks…
but at an environmental cost. Creating paper requires many
natural resources in the form of trees, water, and energy. Consider
a few facts about paper production and use:
- It takes more than 1½ cups of water to make one sheet of
paper. (About the volume of a typical soda can.)
- Over 40% of wood pulp goes toward paper production.
- Reducing paper use reduces greenhouse gases: 40 reams
of paper is like 1.5 acres of pine forest absorbing carbon
for a year.
- Even with recycling efforts, paper makes up over 25% of
garbage in many urban areas.
Saving paper reduces our impact on the environment. We
believe that reducing paper use in our practice will not only
increase efficiency…it’s the environmentally responsible way
to conduct business in the 21st century.
At The Dental Group, green is more
than just a color…it’s a way of life!
Digital X-Rays: High Resolution, Low Impact Imaging
Not only do digital x-rays give us brilliantly clear pictures of your teeth quickly
and safely, but they are also kinder to the environment. In the past, traditional
film x-rays required the use of many hundreds of gallons of
developer and fixer each year to produce the on-film images of
our patients’ teeth. After use, these substances were disposed of
as hazardous materials.
Digital x-rays, however, transfer directly from an imaging plate to our computer’s hard drive, eliminating untold
volumes of hazardous waste—not to mention water—from the process. It’s just one more way that we at the
Dental Group are working to reduce our impact on the environment while delivering state-of-the-art, quality
dental health care to you and your loved ones.
