If you have older metal fillings and you’re wondering whether they’re still doing your health any favors, you’re not alone. Many patients come to us after learning that traditional amalgam fillings contain roughly 50 percent mercury, a detail that often surprises people who assumed metal fillings were simply metal. The good news is you don’t have to live with that uncertainty, and removing these fillings does not have to mean unnecessary risk.
At Smile Design Holistic, we use the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) to remove old amalgam fillings while minimizing your exposure to mercury vapor and particulate matter. This approach reflects our broader commitment to whole-health dentistry, where every material and method we choose is evaluated for how it may affect your body as a whole, not just your teeth.
VISIT
100 SW 6th St,
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060
CALL
(954) 942-4836
CLOCK
MON 8 AM – 4 PM TUE 8 AM – 4 PM
WED 8 AM – 4 PM THU 8 AM – 4 PM
FRI 8 AM – 4 PM
MON 8 AM – 4 PM
TUE 8 AM – 4 PM
WED 8 AM – 4 PM
THU 8 AM – 4 PM
FRI 8 AM – 4 PM
What Is the SMART Protocol?
The SMART protocol is a set of safety measures developed to reduce mercury exposure for both patients and dental staff during amalgam removal. Because drilling out an old filling can release mercury vapor and fine particulate, the protocol calls for specific tools and techniques designed to contain and remove that material before you or our team ever inhale it.
During your appointment, we place a dental dam to isolate the treated tooth from the rest of your mouth, use a high-volume suction device positioned close to the treatment site, and provide you with an external air source so you are breathing clean air rather than air from the treatment area. Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that using cooling water and intraoral suction during amalgam removal reduced the amount of mercury left in the oral cavity afterward, and that fragmenting the filling rather than removing it in one block further reduced residual mercury. These findings support the layered approach of the SMART protocol, since no single step does all the work on its own.
Many of our patients are not necessarily in pain or experiencing an obvious problem with their fillings. Instead, they simply want to reduce the amount of mercury they carry as part of a broader wellness goal, or they may have restorations that are decades old and due for an update regardless. Whatever brings you in, our goal is to help you leave with a smile that looks natural and a process that respected your health along the way.
Some patients also come to us because they are sensitive to metal restorations or prefer materials that blend more naturally with their teeth. In either case, we typically replace old amalgam with tooth-colored, biocompatible materials that restore the same tooth without the metallic appearance or mercury content.
Every SMART removal appointment starts with a conversation about your goals and any health history that might affect our approach. From there, we walk you through the process so nothing feels unfamiliar once you are in the chair. Your SMART removal process typically includes the following steps:
Once the old amalgam is removed, we thoroughly clean the site and place a new restoration made from a biocompatible material suited to your specific tooth and bite. Most patients find the appointment straightforward, and many are surprised at how similar it feels to a routine filling replacement. Patients may experience a bad taste in their mouth during the procedure, and this is a normal part of the process.
Not every replacement material is right for every patient, which is part of why we take time to review your options with you before moving forward. We can also talk through how the timing of removal might fit into other work you are considering, such as porcelain veneers or a broader smile plan, if you are addressing more than one tooth.
If you are also curious about biocompatible restorations more broadly, our dental implants page outlines other areas where material choice plays a role in your treatment, since biocompatibility is a thread that runs through much of what we do here.
Dr. Andy Baghaei brings over two decades of clinical experience to every patient who walks through our doors, and safe amalgam removal is one of the services he built this practice around. We know that switching out old fillings can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be, which is why we walk you through the SMART protocol step by step and answer every question before we begin.
We also offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, so cost does not have to stand between you and a mercury-safer smile. If you are ready to discuss whether SMART amalgam removal makes sense for you, reach out through our contact page, and our team will help you find a time that works for you.
FAQs
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Dentistry and nutrition are directly correlated as poor oral health has a negative impact on your ability to properly eat and digest your foods. The converse is also true as patients with poor nutrition may be at risk for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Researchers have also linked common oral health issues to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature or low-weight births. Your dentist can help improve your oral health as well as your digestion, nutrition, and overall wellbeing by identifying dietary contributors to negative health issues. These negative health issues can be identified by smaller signs and symptoms that are present in your mouth that you may deem insignificant. It is easy to think that a simple canker sore doesn’t have a great effect on your overall well being, but it can actually be a sign of a larger issue. That is why it is important to come in for checkups and preventive care regularly.
If you are wondering whether or not you need nutrition counseling, the answer is probably yes. In most cases, everyone can benefit from nutrition counseling in one form or another. Whether it’s as simple as learning more about supplements and proper nutrition, or taking steps to make great improvements to your overall well being, your dentist can help! It’s as simple as coming in for an exam and can be added on to any preventive appointment at our office.
Yes. Dentists undergo extensive training in the healthcare field, specifically dealing with health issues related to the mouth and digestion. This includes looking out for signs of gum disease, oral cancer, GERD, HPV, and more. Your dentist serves as a healthcare educator and is devoted to ensuring you are in the best position possible to make the right choices for your oral health.
Nutritional counseling is usually considered to be an elective treatment by most insurance providers. However, there may be some instances where this is not the case. To find out if you can use your dental insurance benefits to cover nutritional counseling at our office, we recommend getting in touch with your plan provider. We are also happy to go over your plan with you and answer any questions that you may have to ensure you are maximizing your benefits.
** Requested time is not final until you receive confirmation from our office.Please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI).
