Your Mercury-Safe Dentist!
SAFE AMALGAM REMOVAL - SMART Certified
Biomimetic biological dentist Dr. Lorène Catala, DDS, is proud to announce that we are a SMART-certified, mercury-free, and mercury-safe practice. This means that we employ specific safety protocols to ensure the protection of her patients, her staff, and herself from minimal mercury exposure when removing old amalgam (silver) fillings. Dr. Lorène Catala, DDS, is one of the few Biomimetic Dentistry offices in Santa Monica, California who follows the highest standards for amalgam removal set forth accredited by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT) for the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). This protocol minimizes your exposure to mercury vapor during amalgam removal, thereby protecting you from potential absorption of mercury into your system.
Dr. Lorène Catala Mercury-Free Dentistry benefits:
- Non-toxic with No side effects
- Environmentally Friendly
- Biocompatible
- Composites bond to the teeth making tooth structure stronger
- Reduces the risk for cracked and sensitive teeth
If you would like to have your amalgam fillings removed by a SMART certified dentist, please contact us today at (310) 310-4696 to schedule a consultation.
What is SMART?
SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, which has specific safety guidelines set in place for removing dental amalgam. This safety protocol was developed by IAOMT – International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, by using scientific research indicating that mercury exposure is harmful to the body and the environment.
IAOMT Protocol for Amalgam Removal:
- We have an amalgam separator installed and maintain it properly. This device keeps amalgam waste from entering the wastewater and polluting the environment.
- High-volume air filters are in our operatories to remove mercury vapor and particles cast into the air during amalgam removal.
- The patient is given a slurry of charcoal or chlorella to rinse and swallow before the procedure to protect against any mercury that may enter the circulation during the procedure.
- The dental team wears protective gowns and head-coverings, as well as non-latex, nitrile gloves and properly sealed respiratory-grade masks rated to capture mercury.
- The patient is provided full body and head covering, as well as a head, face, or mask barrier. They are also given air or oxygen through a nasal mask to prevent mercury vapor and amalgam particulate from being inhaled.
- A Rubber dam/isolite/clean up suction is placed to prevent amalgam from entering the throat.
- An at-source oral aerosol vacuum is placed 2 to 4 inches from the patient’s mouth to further minimize mercury exposure.
- The amalgam is sectioned into chunks with a small-diameter carbide drill and removed in the largest pieces possible.
- Copious amounts of water are used during cutting to reduce heat, and a high-speed evacuation device is used to capture mercury discharges.
- After removal, the patient’s mouth is thoroughly flushed with water, then rinsed with a charcoal or chlorella slurry.
- The dental team safely disposes of all mercury-contaminated components and clean all instruments and equipment, as well as the operatory as a whole, according to federal, state, and local regulations on the handling of mercury.
If you are living with dental amalgams in your mouth, it’s time to pursue a non-toxic, mercury-free alternative. We can remove mecury fillings using the highest standards and protecting you from protential absorption of mercury in your system.
