Aa
Asking dentist to remove amalgams that aren't damaged
I want to ask my dentist to remove my amalgams and replace them with resin fillings, but there's nothing wrong with my fillings so I'm not sure how to ask him. They are about 30 years old so maybe I could say even though there's nothing wrong with them, they're old and I'd feel better replacing them. Or should I just say I'd like them replaced for cosmetic reasons? I've read where a dentist will lose his/her license if they talk about health issues due to amalgams so I'm not sure if I should mention the Hashimoto's or not.
I believe that any reduction in fluoride use & mercury (amalgam) removal is worth the effort, if it is affordable. I only drink and cook with distilled water now (I buy about 4-5 gallons for a week about $5) but I still have to bathe in fluoridated water. I take boron capsules to detoxify from the flouride & mercury that has built up in my tissues.
I had an old amalgam (back molar) replaced about a month ago, with 3 left tp go.My denstist knows very well how I feel about amalgams because I wrote a memo and asked to have it placed in my file. I told him that one by one when I had the money I wanted to replace them. But dont ya know, the day I went to my appointment to have the amalgam removed he once again went into the explanation of how the amalgams are not dangerous, and even suggested that he cover the amalgam with resin! I said, huh??? No I want it out, please. I have gone to the same HMO dentist for 14 years. I like my dentist - but these guys are required to defend amalgams within hearing ditance of co-workers...if the stuff is so safe, why does the EPA require dental offices to use special care in the disposal of the leftover substance? I do however believe that some people have a greater sensitivity to the stuff than others...
I had an old amalgam (back molar) replaced about a month ago, with 3 left tp go.My denstist knows very well how I feel about amalgams because I wrote a memo and asked to have it placed in my file. I told him that one by one when I had the money I wanted to replace them. But dont ya know, the day I went to my appointment to have the amalgam removed he once again went into the explanation of how the amalgams are not dangerous, and even suggested that he cover the amalgam with resin! I said, huh??? No I want it out, please. I have gone to the same HMO dentist for 14 years. I like my dentist - but these guys are required to defend amalgams within hearing ditance of co-workers...if the stuff is so safe, why does the EPA require dental offices to use special care in the disposal of the leftover substance? I do however believe that some people have a greater sensitivity to the stuff than others...
My amalgams are about 30 years old. They don't look old or cracked, but liked you've all said, looks can be deceiving. My insurance covers 80% up to $1000 for fillings. One issue though is I have a back molar that had two amalgam fillings and I've read they may have to use the more expensive porcelean inlays, which my insurance will only cover 50%. So I guess I'll find out how much it will all cost first.
I've recently switched to a non flouride toothpaste but unfortunately my water has flouride and no way to get rid of that.
I've recently switched to a non flouride toothpaste but unfortunately my water has flouride and no way to get rid of that.
I don'tknow why,but I started becoming suspicious about the fluoride toxicity BEFORE my diagnosis of Hashis. I believe I was hypo a few years before the diagnosis - maybe 3 years or even more.
Dentists (most I've found) just view fluoride as the solution for everything. I've had receeding gums and many fillings because as a kid, I had braces (the old kind where they used big metal bands tapped on each tooth, the soddered the brackets etc.) By the time they were removed I needed multiple fillings which were amalgams back in the 1960's early 70's.
In 2006 my dentist (I see the hygienist every 3 months for deep cleaning) had me on fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, fluoride treatments, and using Gel-Kam fluoride topical gel at home. My gums continued to recede regardless but the fluoride was supposedly protecting the exposed root. (not terrible exposure but enough)
I've read since that fluoride can mimic thryoid hormone and is an endocrine disruptor.
And as far as mercury in fillings, the EPA requires dentist offices to discard unused mercury according to strict guidelines.
For more information on fluroride in water - its a waste byproduct of the aluminum industry and the history of the practice is questionable. (online research reveals the story of the deals made between industry & government based on disputed research)
I believe that the increase in auto-immune disease definitely has some environmental triggers.
Hashimotos has impacted my life in a very depressing way. I ache like I have the flu, and believe I may have fibromyalgia.
I have warned my kids about fluoride, processed foods even the SLS in shampoos, Thankfully, most dentists tend not to use amalgams anymore...but they will not say it is because it is a health risk...
Dentists (most I've found) just view fluoride as the solution for everything. I've had receeding gums and many fillings because as a kid, I had braces (the old kind where they used big metal bands tapped on each tooth, the soddered the brackets etc.) By the time they were removed I needed multiple fillings which were amalgams back in the 1960's early 70's.
In 2006 my dentist (I see the hygienist every 3 months for deep cleaning) had me on fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, fluoride treatments, and using Gel-Kam fluoride topical gel at home. My gums continued to recede regardless but the fluoride was supposedly protecting the exposed root. (not terrible exposure but enough)
I've read since that fluoride can mimic thryoid hormone and is an endocrine disruptor.
And as far as mercury in fillings, the EPA requires dentist offices to discard unused mercury according to strict guidelines.
For more information on fluroride in water - its a waste byproduct of the aluminum industry and the history of the practice is questionable. (online research reveals the story of the deals made between industry & government based on disputed research)
I believe that the increase in auto-immune disease definitely has some environmental triggers.
Hashimotos has impacted my life in a very depressing way. I ache like I have the flu, and believe I may have fibromyalgia.
I have warned my kids about fluoride, processed foods even the SLS in shampoos, Thankfully, most dentists tend not to use amalgams anymore...but they will not say it is because it is a health risk...
Technically amalgam fillings need replacing around every 10 years, regardless if they look ok. The material breaks down and leeches mercury into the body. I have seen a bazillion dentists over my life for many and varied issues and they all ask me the same thing, How long ago did you have this filling? If it's over 10 years, they explain why and whooooomph! Out with the old in with the new. I have had resin fillings now as this new dentist is more up to date and removed the old amalgams wearing a respirator mask and thick gowns!
If your dentist says no, then do the ring arounds and ask the others if they do removal due to mercury leeching. It really is a serious matter, and many of the newer dentists are aware of the issue.
If your dentist says no, then do the ring arounds and ask the others if they do removal due to mercury leeching. It really is a serious matter, and many of the newer dentists are aware of the issue.
Sunshine,
I too am having all my amalgams slowly removed due to thyroid and other health issues.
Some were in very bad condition ( first ones done) and now I am slowly getting rest removed for cosmetic and but mainly health reasons. Mine are also very old and I would rather get them done now before major problems occur.
My insurance has a maximum amount of coverage per year and so far all work has been covered AS long as I do not exceed my max amount per year. I am sure all insurance is different, but this is the case for me. I double check insurance each time before I left them proceed with this $$ procedures.
Good luck to you.
PS. I do a detox from a naturopath after having them removed.
I too am having all my amalgams slowly removed due to thyroid and other health issues.
Some were in very bad condition ( first ones done) and now I am slowly getting rest removed for cosmetic and but mainly health reasons. Mine are also very old and I would rather get them done now before major problems occur.
My insurance has a maximum amount of coverage per year and so far all work has been covered AS long as I do not exceed my max amount per year. I am sure all insurance is different, but this is the case for me. I double check insurance each time before I left them proceed with this $$ procedures.
Good luck to you.
PS. I do a detox from a naturopath after having them removed.
My dentist prescribed me Flouride 8 months before I was diagnosed with Graves'...it is shameful to say I am not the best toothbrusher, and do occassionally forget. At the 6 mo ckup, I had no new cavities...BUT, and here is the problem...I am loosing all my fillings. The poor dentist has filled the same cavity three times, and the filling is currently out now. What is the correlation to teeth & thyroid issues? He gave me the flouride because there is none in our water supply, and my teeth were starting to deteriorate rapidly. I know my mom had so many teeth problems, due to SLE and Graves', she had them all pulled...I have been thinking the same thing lately since I can't brush with the flouride now.
Maybe that's how I got Hashi's. My grandmother had thyroid problems. So if a dentist can't tell you to remove them due to health problems, is it better to tell my dentist the truth (that it is for health reasons) or just say I want them removed because they're 30 years old and look bad?
It sounds like you have a medical/dental reason for considering replacing them due to avoiding more root canals.
Without having to deal with the heath risk thoughts.
Without having to deal with the heath risk thoughts.
I have had a few on my amalgams replaced with resin because I do believe that mercury fillings are not good. You are right, dentists can lose their licenses if they even suggest that amalgams pose health risks. I had a dentist tell me this specially.
My amalgams were also 25-30 years old. I just said I wanted to replace them because I did not want to have any more root canals (had two a couple years ago after old fillings allowed bacteria to enter the teeth which caused abcess) I have had one root canal tooth extracted because the root was fractured and I had months of discomfort (even though xrays looked fine) It is interesting to me that my hashimotos did not become detectable (hypo symptoms) until after my two root canals. I also have stopped all fluoride in toothpastes, mouthwash, topical applications of fluoride etc - because my dentist had me overdosing on the stuff. The warnings on the labels of these products were enough to alert me that fluoride. I believe that toxins in our environment are able to trigger auto-immune disease, especially in thjose who may already have a genetic pre-disposition.
My amalgams were also 25-30 years old. I just said I wanted to replace them because I did not want to have any more root canals (had two a couple years ago after old fillings allowed bacteria to enter the teeth which caused abcess) I have had one root canal tooth extracted because the root was fractured and I had months of discomfort (even though xrays looked fine) It is interesting to me that my hashimotos did not become detectable (hypo symptoms) until after my two root canals. I also have stopped all fluoride in toothpastes, mouthwash, topical applications of fluoride etc - because my dentist had me overdosing on the stuff. The warnings on the labels of these products were enough to alert me that fluoride. I believe that toxins in our environment are able to trigger auto-immune disease, especially in thjose who may already have a genetic pre-disposition.
Hi,
I had to have some of mine replaced because of loose/cracking fillings and ended up with root canal on one of them. If they are deep and old like mine I ran the risk of them not being able to refill and with one of them this happened and I ended up with root canal and a crown.
Others have gone okay that had cavities and had to be worked on.
Keep us posted!
C~
I had to have some of mine replaced because of loose/cracking fillings and ended up with root canal on one of them. If they are deep and old like mine I ran the risk of them not being able to refill and with one of them this happened and I ended up with root canal and a crown.
Others have gone okay that had cavities and had to be worked on.
Keep us posted!
C~
I can't afford it without insurance. My insurance will pay if it's for cosmetic reasons.
Insurance issues may be a concern here and you may not get coverage to "just replace" them if you are using insurance.
If you pay cash.... your dentist shouldn't question anything. You are the customer seeking a service.. You don't have to do in why you are wanting this very much at all. They know the concerns out there on these materials used ages ago and many have come forward wanting them taken out. Its not a big deal if you have the resource to pay for it at all.
There's nothing wrong with mentioning you are Hashimoto's either.
If you pay cash.... your dentist shouldn't question anything. You are the customer seeking a service.. You don't have to do in why you are wanting this very much at all. They know the concerns out there on these materials used ages ago and many have come forward wanting them taken out. Its not a big deal if you have the resource to pay for it at all.
There's nothing wrong with mentioning you are Hashimoto's either.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
