I know you asked AMD, but I want to share my thoughts as a dentist. Do some careful research about the quality of the dentist you choose to see! I have had several patients over the years transfer into my practice that went to a ‘safe mercury removal’ dentist for the replacement of their amalgam fillings. The work was very poorly done in…
I know you asked AMD, but I want to share my thoughts as a dentist. Do some careful research about the quality of the dentist you choose to see! I have had several patients over the years transfer into my practice that went to a ‘safe mercury removal’ dentist for the replacement of their amalgam fillings. The work was very poorly done in these instances and it frustrates me to see patients taken advantage of. There is a significant cost increase to see a dentist who will do a ‘safe mercury filling removal’ and because the demand for this is likely greater than there are dentists performing it, I see a quality issue.
I went through the training to consider this removal process but never adopted completely when I learned that the most significant impact to reducing mercury exposure during the removal of an amalgam is from copious water irrigation and high volume evacuation. Two things I was already doing. The other steps in the process had negligible benefit to the patient and provider.
If you do consider their removal, I would recommend working with a functional medicine provider who can put you on a specific detox protocol.
I've never seen this kind of comment, so that is helpful to me. Is there any way to vet dentists to know how competent they are? As a regular person, it just seems that at best I look for someone who seems like a sincerely compassionate person and doesn't push fluoride and is recommended by other regular people, but I really don't know how to tell. I'm one who has dental trauma and breaks down on the chair, so it would give some semblance of control to my experience and trust to have a plan for picking someone.
You’re absolutely right! It’s difficult for the general public to ascertain the quality of dentist they select. You’re just on a good path. Find someone who takes time with you, cares for your past experiences that were traumatic and talks to you about your dental condition in a way that allows you to feel in control of the care you select. He/she should take time to educate you and give you treatment options. A good rule of thumb right now is to find someone who is in a stand alone practice. Venture capital is taking over dentistry and these corporate offices are moving towards the institutional model of medicine.
Perhaps a good litmus test is to choose someone who respects your wishes for no fluoride without pressuring you to change your mind. Good luck!
That makes good sense that the stand alone practice is one point to look at. To me it suggests that the dentist wouldn't be tied to corporate processes which usually emphasize profit over people. It also suggests they have to survive on their personal reputation and so would value honorable and respectful work. It seems to me that going with that might also be not accepting insurance, as insurance seems to exert influence over treatment as well, in a way that I distrust.
The bad about that, though, is that if you are poor, you are in a tight spot. When I tried to have my daughter seen, all of the local dentists refused to see her because we have government insurance that is not seen as worthwhile for the local dentists. I didn't realize this and spent hours and hours trying to find her a dentist, with them all refusing to see her even for cash once I had mentioned the insurance. They could be seen as criminally liable to refusing the insurance while accepting cash. I understand that, but it resulted in a rural Midwest blacklist for all children with government dental insurance, thus making it impossible for them to be seen except at basically two corporate dental offices which are well known to rush the kids roughly through and milk them quickly for the treatments that are reimbursable. It is like a factory. It took me a year to pay off the loan cost of having my child seen by a dentist a very long drive away whom I lied to, saying I didn't have insurance. And even then, I still wonder if all of that work of crowns and such on baby teeth was truly helpful or was bad for my kid.
I do often which for truly good advice from someone who knows and who I could actually trust. That is why I am so interested in what you might say.
Thank you for sharing your story and for more accurately calling out what is happening in my profession. I hate it but I did not want to disparage dentists who are part of corporate dentistry. There are good and bad dentists in all walks of our field!
I hate how you’ve been treated! There is a strong tendency to over treat especially in pediatrics. I hope that you find a great dentist who listens to your concerns and does not push you into procedures you do not desire.
You could follow my Substack for the one or two dental newsletters that I write. Use the comments section of those newsletters to ask any question. It is my passion to help people understand their dental health and to optimally reduce their need to see the dentist. It should be our goal as providers to support health discussions that make you need us less!
Thank you for sharing your expertise Jessica Funk. I really appreciate. Yes, I appreciate it would be a very expensive undertaking. And I agree that finding a reputable dentist would be one of the challenges. Am already working with an appropriate and amazing health practitioner. Thanks again!
Sorry... a further question.... assuming you can find a reputable dentist and are working with a health practitioner on a specific detox protocol, do you think it is a good idea to have mercury fillings removed?
This is a complicated response to a simple question. If you’re experiencing health conditions that your provider identifies as possible related to mercury toxicity, then it may be a good idea to consider. The exposure to mercury is at its peak during placement and removal. Every time we cut into a tooth, we weaken the tooth additionally.
I am skeptical of the white fillings that are traditionally used to replace amalgam because they are a plastic product. Their longevity pales in comparison to amalgam.
I am hanging in limbo between holistic/biological dentistry and traditional. There are elements of the holistic side that push for the invasive removal of amalgam to be replaced with an inferior plastic product. I wish that some honesty in the care provided to patients could be actively discussed and debated so we can give true informed consent with treatment options.
I know you asked AMD, but I want to share my thoughts as a dentist. Do some careful research about the quality of the dentist you choose to see! I have had several patients over the years transfer into my practice that went to a ‘safe mercury removal’ dentist for the replacement of their amalgam fillings. The work was very poorly done in these instances and it frustrates me to see patients taken advantage of. There is a significant cost increase to see a dentist who will do a ‘safe mercury filling removal’ and because the demand for this is likely greater than there are dentists performing it, I see a quality issue.
I went through the training to consider this removal process but never adopted completely when I learned that the most significant impact to reducing mercury exposure during the removal of an amalgam is from copious water irrigation and high volume evacuation. Two things I was already doing. The other steps in the process had negligible benefit to the patient and provider.
If you do consider their removal, I would recommend working with a functional medicine provider who can put you on a specific detox protocol.
I've never seen this kind of comment, so that is helpful to me. Is there any way to vet dentists to know how competent they are? As a regular person, it just seems that at best I look for someone who seems like a sincerely compassionate person and doesn't push fluoride and is recommended by other regular people, but I really don't know how to tell. I'm one who has dental trauma and breaks down on the chair, so it would give some semblance of control to my experience and trust to have a plan for picking someone.
You’re absolutely right! It’s difficult for the general public to ascertain the quality of dentist they select. You’re just on a good path. Find someone who takes time with you, cares for your past experiences that were traumatic and talks to you about your dental condition in a way that allows you to feel in control of the care you select. He/she should take time to educate you and give you treatment options. A good rule of thumb right now is to find someone who is in a stand alone practice. Venture capital is taking over dentistry and these corporate offices are moving towards the institutional model of medicine.
Perhaps a good litmus test is to choose someone who respects your wishes for no fluoride without pressuring you to change your mind. Good luck!
That makes good sense that the stand alone practice is one point to look at. To me it suggests that the dentist wouldn't be tied to corporate processes which usually emphasize profit over people. It also suggests they have to survive on their personal reputation and so would value honorable and respectful work. It seems to me that going with that might also be not accepting insurance, as insurance seems to exert influence over treatment as well, in a way that I distrust.
The bad about that, though, is that if you are poor, you are in a tight spot. When I tried to have my daughter seen, all of the local dentists refused to see her because we have government insurance that is not seen as worthwhile for the local dentists. I didn't realize this and spent hours and hours trying to find her a dentist, with them all refusing to see her even for cash once I had mentioned the insurance. They could be seen as criminally liable to refusing the insurance while accepting cash. I understand that, but it resulted in a rural Midwest blacklist for all children with government dental insurance, thus making it impossible for them to be seen except at basically two corporate dental offices which are well known to rush the kids roughly through and milk them quickly for the treatments that are reimbursable. It is like a factory. It took me a year to pay off the loan cost of having my child seen by a dentist a very long drive away whom I lied to, saying I didn't have insurance. And even then, I still wonder if all of that work of crowns and such on baby teeth was truly helpful or was bad for my kid.
I do often which for truly good advice from someone who knows and who I could actually trust. That is why I am so interested in what you might say.
Thank you for sharing your story and for more accurately calling out what is happening in my profession. I hate it but I did not want to disparage dentists who are part of corporate dentistry. There are good and bad dentists in all walks of our field!
I hate how you’ve been treated! There is a strong tendency to over treat especially in pediatrics. I hope that you find a great dentist who listens to your concerns and does not push you into procedures you do not desire.
You could follow my Substack for the one or two dental newsletters that I write. Use the comments section of those newsletters to ask any question. It is my passion to help people understand their dental health and to optimally reduce their need to see the dentist. It should be our goal as providers to support health discussions that make you need us less!
oh that's awful. I'm so sorry that has been your experience.
Venture capital is indeed destroying everything good.
Good on you Mama for doing your best to do the best for your kid. It's tough.
Wish
Thank you for sharing your expertise Jessica Funk. I really appreciate. Yes, I appreciate it would be a very expensive undertaking. And I agree that finding a reputable dentist would be one of the challenges. Am already working with an appropriate and amazing health practitioner. Thanks again!
Hi Jessica
Sorry... a further question.... assuming you can find a reputable dentist and are working with a health practitioner on a specific detox protocol, do you think it is a good idea to have mercury fillings removed?
This is a complicated response to a simple question. If you’re experiencing health conditions that your provider identifies as possible related to mercury toxicity, then it may be a good idea to consider. The exposure to mercury is at its peak during placement and removal. Every time we cut into a tooth, we weaken the tooth additionally.
I am skeptical of the white fillings that are traditionally used to replace amalgam because they are a plastic product. Their longevity pales in comparison to amalgam.
I am hanging in limbo between holistic/biological dentistry and traditional. There are elements of the holistic side that push for the invasive removal of amalgam to be replaced with an inferior plastic product. I wish that some honesty in the care provided to patients could be actively discussed and debated so we can give true informed consent with treatment options.
Thanks so much. Your nuanced response is really helpful. I appreciate it.
Yes, some of the white filling materials contain fluoride 🙁