Biological & Preventive Dentistry
SMART Mercury Removal in Sarasota, FL
Safe, protocol-driven removal of mercury amalgam fillings — protecting you, our team, and the environment.
Older “silver” fillings are roughly half mercury, and everyday chewing — or ordinary drilling — can release mercury vapor. At Luma Biological Dentistry, we follow the SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) to remove amalgam fillings with layered safeguards, then replace them with beautiful, biocompatible materials chosen for your whole-body health.
Dentistry Designed Around Whole-Body Health
Understanding Amalgam
Why Mercury Removal Deserves a Careful Approach
Amalgam fillings — often called “silver” fillings — are about 50% elemental mercury bound with silver, tin, and copper. As these fillings age, chewing, grinding, hot liquids, and drilling can release small amounts of mercury vapor. Removing them the ordinary way can actually increase that exposure, which is why a protective, protocol-driven approach matters. Our goal is simple: take the old fillings out while keeping vapor and particles away from you, our team, and the environment.
Removal, Done Safely
- Layered protection against mercury vapor
- High-volume suction and dedicated air filtration
- Isolation that keeps particles out of reach
- Ceramic and biocompatible replacements
The SMART Protocol
How We Protect You During Removal
SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique — a set of safeguards developed by the IAOMT. We layer these protections together for every amalgam we remove.
Isolate
A rubber dam and protective barriers keep amalgam particles and vapor away from your mouth and skin.
Capture
High-volume suction and a dedicated air-filtration unit draw mercury vapor away from the treatment area.
Cool
The filling is sectioned and removed with copious water to limit the heat that produces vapor.
Contain
An amalgam separator captures waste so mercury never reaches the water supply.
Why Patients Choose It
Reasons to Replace Amalgam Fillings
- Biocompatible Peace of Mind Replace aging amalgam with ceramic-based materials chosen specifically for biocompatibility.
- A Natural Look Tooth-colored restorations blend in and eliminate the dark, gray shadow of old metal fillings.
- Stronger Teeth Aging amalgams can expand, crack, and leak; replacing them helps prevent fractures and hidden decay.
- Environmental Responsibility Amalgam separators and careful handling keep mercury out of wastewater and the environment.
What Comes Next
Biocompatible Replacements
Once an amalgam filling is out, we rebuild the tooth with a biocompatible material selected for strength and compatibility — usually a tooth-colored, ceramic-based composite, or a ceramic restoration for larger repairs. The result is a natural-looking, comfortable tooth. When it’s helpful, we can pair your treatment with biocompatibility testing to guide material choices around your unique body.
Is It Right for You?
You May Be a Good Candidate If…
- You have older silver or amalgam fillings you’d like replaced
- You prefer a biological, biocompatible approach to dental care
- You have cracked, worn, or leaking amalgam restorations
- You’re planning broader restorative or wellness-focused care
Schedule a Consultation
Remove Mercury the Safe, Biological Way
If you’re ready to replace old amalgam fillings with safer, biocompatible materials, our Sarasota team is here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation and find out whether SMART mercury removal is right for you.
SMART Mercury Removal FAQ
- What is SMART mercury removal?
- SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique — a set of safety measures developed by the IAOMT for removing mercury amalgam fillings while minimizing exposure to mercury vapor and particles.
- Do “silver” fillings really contain mercury?
- Yes. Traditional amalgam fillings are roughly 50% elemental mercury combined with silver, tin, and copper.
- Why not remove amalgam fillings the normal way?
- Drilling out amalgam creates heat and can release mercury vapor. The SMART protocol adds layers of protection — isolation, suction, filtration, and containment — to reduce that exposure.
- What protections do you use during removal?
- We use a rubber dam and protective barriers, high-volume suction, a dedicated air-filtration unit, copious water cooling, and an amalgam separator to capture waste.
- What will replace my amalgam fillings?
- We restore teeth with biocompatible, ceramic-based materials — typically a tooth-colored composite, or ceramic for larger restorations.
- Does removing amalgam hurt?
- The procedure is comparable to having a normal filling replaced and is performed with local anesthetic for comfort. Most patients feel little to nothing during treatment.
- Is amalgam removal safe during pregnancy?
- Elective amalgam removal is generally postponed during pregnancy and nursing. We’re happy to discuss timing and priorities at your consultation.
- How long does the appointment take?
- It depends on how many fillings are being replaced. We’ll review your plan and give you a clear time estimate before we begin.
- Do you offer biocompatible care beyond fillings?
- Yes. We focus on biological dentistry, including ceramic implants, biocompatibility testing, and ozone therapy — all guided by a biocompatible, whole-health philosophy.
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