Amalgam was the standard material for dental fillings for decades. What many people do not know: amalgam consists of approximately 50 per cent mercury — one of the most toxic heavy metals. During chewing, when consuming hot beverages, and while brushing teeth, small amounts of mercury vapour are continuously released, absorbed through the lungs, and can accumulate in the body over time.
In many European countries, the use of amalgam has already been restricted or banned. Since 2018, the European Union has prohibited its use in children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. At our practice in Freienstein, we never use amalgam — and we offer safe, professional removal of existing amalgam fillings.
Removing amalgam fillings is not a trivial procedure: if drilled improperly, large amounts of mercury vapour and amalgam particles are released that patients can inhale or swallow. That is why we follow the SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique), developed by the IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology).
The SMART protocol encompasses multiple protective measures that together ensure safe removal. First, a special rubber dam is placed around the tooth being treated, preventing amalgam particles from entering the oral cavity. Oxygen is supplied through a nasal mask to ensure you do not inhale mercury vapours during the procedure. A high-powered amalgam separator positioned directly at the tooth captures particles and vapour at the source.
Additionally, the filling is levered out in large chunks rather than finely drilled to minimise vapour generation. An air purifier in the treatment room filters remaining particles from the air. Through these combined measures, mercury exposure during removal is reduced to a minimum.
Unfortunately, not all dental practices offer protected amalgam removal. During conventional removal — where the amalgam is simply drilled out — large quantities of mercury vapour and fine amalgam dust are generated. Studies show that mercury levels in blood and urine can increase significantly in the short term during unprotected removal. The SMART protocol was developed to prevent exactly this.
As a biological dental practice, safe amalgam removal is one of our specialities. Dr. Siouri has specialised in gentle and safe remediation and performs this treatment regularly. Our entire team is trained in the SMART protocol procedures, and we continuously invest in the necessary equipment — from high-performance suction systems to air purification.
After safe removal of the amalgam, the tooth is restored with a biocompatible, metal-free material. Depending on the size and location of the defect, various options are available: high-quality composite fillings for smaller defects, ceramic inlays or onlays for larger areas, or all-ceramic crowns when the tooth is severely damaged.
In many cases, we recommend supporting the body’s detoxification alongside amalgam remediation. This can be done in collaboration with a holistically oriented physician or naturopath. We are happy to advise you on the options and work with a network of practitioners when needed.
Amalgam remediation begins with a comprehensive assessment. We document all existing amalgam fillings, evaluate their condition, and create an individual remediation plan. We consider the order in which fillings will be removed and how many can be treated per session — as a gradual approach is gentler on the body than removing everything in a single sitting.
We typically recommend treating one quadrant (quarter of the jaw) per session, with a recovery period of two to four weeks between appointments. This gives the body time to process any released mercury residues.
Amalgam remediation is particularly advisable for patients with proven metal sensitivities or allergies, those with unexplained chronic symptoms such as fatigue, concentration difficulties, or joint pain, women planning a pregnancy who wish to reduce mercury exposure beforehand, and anyone who wants to eliminate heavy metals from their body as part of a holistic health approach.
Even if you currently have no symptoms, preventive remediation can be worthwhile. Amalgam fillings have a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced sooner or later. Why not switch to a biologically compatible material straight away? We advise you individually and without pressure at our practice in Freienstein.
Whether removal is medically necessary depends on your individual situation. If you suffer from unexplained chronic symptoms, have a metal sensitivity, or simply do not want a source of mercury in your mouth, remediation makes sense. We advise you honestly and without pressure.
This depends on the number of amalgam fillings. For a few fillings, one to two sessions are often sufficient. For complete remediation, three to four appointments may be necessary. We create an individual plan for you.
The treatment is performed under local anaesthesia and is typically painless. After the procedure, the tooth may be sensitive for a few days, but this quickly subsides.
The costs depend on the number and size of fillings as well as the chosen replacement material. In a personal consultation, we provide you with a transparent cost estimate.