Safe Mercury Filling Removal
Old amalgam fillings, removed under the Protect Protocol.
What the Protect Protocol is, and why it matters
Mercury amalgam fillings are stable while they sit in a tooth, but drilling one out releases mercury vapor and fine particulate, and that is the moment patients, staff, and the environment need real protection. The Protect Protocol is the set of biological dentistry safety measures we follow every time we remove an old amalgam filling, so the process of taking mercury out does not expose you to more of it than the filling ever did while it was in place.
It is not one extra step tacked onto a routine filling replacement. It changes how the tooth is isolated, how you breathe during the appointment, how the amalgam is sectioned and removed, and how the room and equipment are protected afterward. If you have amalgam fillings and are considering having them replaced, the protocol used to remove them matters as much as the decision to remove them at all.
Grounded in IABDM biological dentistry principles
The Protect Protocol follows the standards set by the IABDM, the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, an organization of dentists who look beyond the tooth to how dental materials and dental procedures affect the whole body. Their position is straightforward: if a material is a health concern going in, the same care applies coming out. Amalgam removal deserves the same biological, whole-health thinking we already bring to the mercury-free, biocompatible materials we place.
That is why this is not a service we treat as optional or add-on. It is part of what it means to practice biological dentistry with real depth, rather than stopping at "we do not place mercury fillings" and calling it holistic.
How we protect you, our team, and the environment
Every amalgam removal appointment follows the same sequence of safety measures, in this order, every time.
Why the dentist you choose for this matters
Not every dentist follows these measures for amalgam removal, and skipping them can expose you to more mercury vapor than leaving an old filling alone. Dr. Sipes follows the Protect Protocol for every amalgam removal, because the whole point of taking a toxic material out is to reduce your exposure to it, not add to it in the process.
You also get one doctor who understands your full history and can talk you through why removal makes sense for you, what the appointment will involve, and what to expect afterward, in plain language, before you decide.
Who is a good candidate for safe mercury filling removal
Safe mercury filling removal is worth considering if you have older amalgam fillings that are cracked, leaking, or simply due for replacement, or if you would rather not carry a mercury-containing material in your mouth once you know it can be removed safely. It is also a common step for patients who are already working with a naturopathic or medical provider on a broader health concern and want their dental materials reviewed as part of that picture.
Removal is not automatically the right call for every patient or every filling, which is why we start with an exam and a conversation about your specific fillings and health history before recommending it. If you are curious whether this is a good fit for you, a consultation is the place to start.
"As a Naturopathic Doctor, I know how profoundly dental health can affect your overall health and I promote Biological Dentistry to my patients. My professional opinion is that they offer much better solutions for dental problems. I became a patient of Dr. Sipes earlier this year and have enjoyed working with him and his staff. I feel like he does a more thorough checkup than other dentists that I have visited. They offer more natural, chemical free products as part of their treatments. Highly recommend"
