IV: CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE AMALGAM REMOVAL
PART 1: My Personal Mercury-Toxicity Health Crisis
A. MY DIAGNOSIS OF MERCURY TOXICITY
My Symptoms
During my late 20’s and early 30’s I began to suffer from chronic fatigue. Although I was exercising regularly, sleeping well, and eating a nutritious diet, I felt tired all the time. Other symptoms began to appear. I had joint pains that suggested Lyme disease was the culprit. I also had Candida (a yeast infection), which is usually attributed to a high sugar and carbohydrate diet. I also suffered from Sciatica, which caused nerve pain to extend down my legs. I was unable to taste food, my vision changed, and my hair seemed to turn gray overnight.
My Medical and Dental History
A quick look at my medical history showed no previous conditions or treatments that could have caused my symptoms. However, my dental history revealed that I had twelve amalgam fillings and three gold crowns. (I learned later that different metals in a conducting solution such as saliva can cause an increased release of mercury).
Therapies
I tried various therapies to treat my symptoms.
- At first, I tried a rotation diet. This involved eliminating foods which are considered allergenic, such as wheat, corn, eggs, dairy, night shades and soy. One by one, I eliminated each from my diet. When I later re-introduced each food one at a time, I found I had no reaction to them.
- Then I tried alternative diets, such as a vegetarian diet, high protein meals, and a diet dense in whole food nutrients. I wanted to see if diet or nutrition would make a difference. None of the diets altered or improved my symptoms.
- Next, I tried supplementing my diet with essential vitamins, minerals, and whey protein.
I still had no symptom relief.
- Detoxification was my next step. I followed protocols for cleansing my kidneys, liver and gut. Although I had some minor improvement, my symptoms persisted.
- Finally, I tried antibiotic therapy. This made sense because some doctors suspected that Lyme disease was a factor in my condition. Needless to say, this did not help either.
Assessment
After eliminating all other treatments, mercury toxicity became a possible diagnosis. Although some doctors tried to persuade me that mercury toxicity didn’t exist, I was convinced that the next logical step would be to remove my twelve amalgam fillings.
B. SELECTING THE “BEST” DENTIST AND THE “LATEST” AMALGAM REMOVAL PROCEDURE
The “Best” Dentist
I selected a dentist who was well-known in the holistic field. He had written several books on the subject, and he stressed the importance of using technology to achieve success.
My Concerns
I had several concerns about the complications of amalgam removal. These complications could have negative consequences. My major concern was deep fillings close to the dental nerve. Usually, a protective layer is placed between the nerve and the filling. In my case, however, no nerve protection was evident. Also, I was in the habit of grinding my teeth at night (another possible effect of mercury toxicity). As a result, my teeth were sensitive. I asked the dentist if I was at risk for increased tooth sensitivity, nerve loss, or even tooth loss.
His Examination
He conducted the exam very quickly and failed to assess my dental nerves. He assured me, however, that he would follow all proper amalgam removal procedures. He would also restore my teeth using bio-compatible, immune “safe,” fillings. “I have all the latest technology,” he said. “Everything will be fine.”
C. MY HEALTH “CRASH” AFTER AMALGAM REMOVAL
The Crash
- Dental Problems. Everything was not fine. My teeth were still sensitive and I developed biting problems. I had nerve loss in two teeth which required root canals. I actually lost one tooth which had to be extracted.
- Systemic (Medical) Problems. My chronic fatigue continued and I developed skin rashes. I also had gastrointestinal problems and was unable to eat solid food for forty days.
Analysis: What Went Wrong?
To start with, there was no comprehensive dental exam. This should have been completed in several areas.
- A tooth exam would have determined what type of filling was needed for each tooth.
- A dental nerve exam would have determined if the nerve was healthy enough to under go removal.
- A bite assessment would have shown any underlying bite problem (in my case, Grinding) which treatment might
- A gum examination would have shown any gum infection, inflammation, bone loss or recession exposing roots, all of which can cause
- Secondly, there was no systemic assessment. Several tests can determine whether a patient is a candidate for amalgam removal.
- A test for mercury blood levels: What were my mercury blood levels? Were they high enough to cause my symptoms? How many types of mercury do I have? Could I be suffering from other forms of heavy metal toxicity?
- A test for detoxification: Can I eliminate heavy metals or do I retain them? If I retain them, what’s the danger of a health crisis? Can I get worse?
- A nutritional assessment: What is the best diet for me when I undergo this procedure? Do I need to take supplements? Is there a “one size fits all” preparation or do I need an individualized plan?
- An immune assessment: Do I currently have any infectious diseases, either bacterial or viral? Do I have any fungal infections? Do I have any chronic infections that are undiagnosed?
D. WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY RESEARCH AFTER THE CRISIS
First, I learned that testing for blood mercury levels can reveal whether or not:
- The liver is healthy enough to undergo the detoxification process.
- The kidney is healthy enough to undergo the elimination process.
- The body is able to detoxify in general.
- The patient is at risk for new symptoms or for the worsening of existing ones.
Second, I learned that once amalgams are removed cells expel mercury into the blood stream.
This raises other questions:
- Are the elimination pathways open?
- Can the patient tolerate this procedure?
- Where will the mercury go if the body cannot properly process it?
Third, I realized that technology without knowledge is ineffective. Technology can make a procedure more efficient, but scientific knowledge is necessary in case something goes wrong.
Last, I concluded that if a more thorough examination had been performed, my crisis may have been averted.
E. DEVELOPING A NEW PROTOCOL FOR AMALGAM REMOVAL
Based on my personal experience with a worst case scenario, I set out to create a more
comprehensive protocol for amalgam removal. I wanted my protocol to take into account the
many dental and systemic risks that may be encountered in the amalgam removal process.
Before I could create this protocol, however, I needed to understand better the systemic aspects of dental health. That opportunity presented itself in a manner I could not have imagined.
PART 2: Learning about Systemic Health: Treating the Causes
A. BAPTISM BY FIRE: MY WIFE’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS
A few years ago, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. To make matters worse, it was a triple-negative cancer. Triple-negative means that it isn’t responsive to hormones. As a result, chemotherapy wasn’t indicated. My wife’s prognosis was very poor. In some cases, the survival rate is only one in twenty thousand.
Further testing showed a decrease in her immune cells, specifically the ones that fight cancer. We decided to pursue treatments that would strengthen her immune system. We found that Dr. lssels in Germany offered the best procedure for her. lmmunotherapy, which Dr. lssels practiced, is illegal in the United States, so we had to fly to Germany for alternative cancer therapy.
B. LESSONS IN SYSTEMIC HEALTH FROM ALTERNATIVE CANCER CLINICS IN GERMANY
1. Alternative Cancer Clinics Preadmission Policies
In Germany, I learned that before alternative cancer clinics will admit patients, they
require them to have dental treatment. Otherwise, patients may not be responsive
to cancer treatment. A dentist must
- First remove all amalgam fillings using proper protocols.
- Second, treat all chronic or silent dental infections.
2. Successful Treatment of Cancer and All Other Systemic Diseases
In order to treat cancer successfully, Dr. lssels, Dr. Jacob, and the other alternative
cancer clinics usually make the follow recommendations:
- First, treat all underlying causes of the disease.
- Second, treat the disease and support the body nutritionally as it attempts to heal the condition.
- Third, create a healthy, preventative and curative lifestyle to prevent a recurrence of the disease.
- Finally, if the body is not responsive or the disease becomes life-threatening, seek traditional treatments.
PART 3: The Oral-Systemic Protocol for Amalgam Removal with Maximum Health Protection
A. The Oral-Systemic Protocol
As a result of my experiences and my subsequent research, I was able to design a state of the art oral-systemic protocol that offers maximum health protection. Our protocol identifies and minimizes dental risks so that a patient has little or no pain and sensitivity. It also identifies systemic risks, allowing us to minimize those risks and provide maximum protection.
B. At the First Appointment
When you become a new patient with us, you will first undergo a comprehensive exam. This exam will include a complete dental examination, a systemic assessment, and a discussion of your health goals. After completing the exam, we will prepare a health treatment plan for you. Following is an outline of our oral-systemic amalgam removal process.
C. The Oral-Systemic Amalgam Removal Process
1. Introduction: Our state of the art protocol is the product of personal experience, scientific research, and 28 years of professional success.
Our Goals:
- To offer patient safety and comfort
- To minimize adverse dental reactions such as tooth sensitivity, pain, nerve loss, and tooth loss.
- To minimize adverse systemic reactions during and after amalgam removal.
2. The Comprehensive Examination
Dental History
- Amalgam exposure
- Exposure to other metals: crowns, pediatric crowns, braces, implants and bridges.
Dental Examination
Tooth (structural) Exam: To determine if the teeth requiring mercury removal present as strong teeth (requiring a weak filling) or weak teeth (requiring a strong filling to support the tooth.)
Dental Nerve (pulpal) Exam:
To determine if the dental nerves are healthy or show an indication of inflammation, infection or neurodegeneration. We obtain this information by performing clinical, provocative and radiographic assessments.
Periodontal (gum tissue) Exam: To determine whether the gum tissue is healthy, infected, inflamed or receded. Is there bone loss on specific teeth? Does bone loss affect the prognosis of two key teeth? Is there food impaction, which can cause more periodontal problems or decay on teeth we plan to restore? A periodontal examination will evaluate gum line levels, bone loss, tooth mobility (looseness), and other parameters which may affect the outcome.
Functional Examination:
To assess the occlusion (the bite), the muscles of the jaw and the jaw joint. Muscle spasm in the jaw muscles can exert stress on the teeth, causing sensitivity, pain and fractures. It can also exert stress on the gums and on the bone around the teeth, contributing to gum recession and bone loss. Additional pressure exerted on the bone tissue itself results in ischemia, or reduced blood flow to the teeth. This is the most significant factor in adverse dental consequences, and can be evidenced on a radiograph.
Dental Radiographs (x-rays):
It is necessary to obtain a full-mouth series in order to make proper teeth, nerve, periodontal and bite assessments. We take analog x-rays, which are state of the art and expose patients to low levels of radiation, compared to
digital x-rays, which are a computer interpretation and not a true image.
Acupuncture Meridian to Tooth Association Analysis: The acupuncture meridians in traditional Chinese medicine show a correspondence between teeth and the rest of the body. If a significant association is noted, we will discuss these correlations.
The Patient’s Health Status:
- To determine if the patient is under any systemic risk from the immune, detoxification or elimination systems.
- To determine if any consultations with physician or other practitioners need to be performed, as well as additional tests.
3. The Treatment Plan
Dental Restoration Type: Once amalgams are removed, we will select a restoration type and material for each tooth being restored, based on a diagnosis. Restorations are classified as Type I through IV and are dependent on the following diagnostic criteria:
A strong tooth can have a weak filling material but a weak tooth requires a restoration type which will strengthen it.
Muscle spasm causes greater stress to the tooth. Mercury and dental metal provide strength in the face of such force. Once mercury is removed and a weaker material, such as a ceramic, replaces it, careful consideration must be taken so that the tooth and material can survive the stress. The mouth, under extreme conditions, can exert forces up to 1000 pounds per square inch!
The condition and location of the dental nerve is important. The more tooth loss there is and the deeper the filling, the greater the risk to the nerve for sensitivity, pain, and nerve loss (death of the nerve).
The restoration must also protect the surrounding gums to prevent recession and food impaction. Food impaction, as a result of open tooth contacts, can result in tooth decay, bone loss, and the need for extensive restoration and potential crown lengthening surgery.
The Restoration Classification System:
- Type I: Direct Restorations
Diagnosis: Good dental health, according to all assessments.
Indications: A strong tooth which can be restored in one visit with a direct filling material such as composite.
- Type II: Inlay Restorations
Diagnosis: Food impaction with existing or potential pathology.
Indications: A structurally sound tooth with open contacts is a good candidate for an inlay.
- Type III: Onlay Restorations
Diagnosis: The loss of a tooth’s chewing surface, called a “cusp.”
Indications: A structurally sound tooth with a decayed or fractured cusp is a good candidate for an onlay.
- Type IV: Crown Restoration
Diagnosis: The loss of one or more cusps.
Indications: A structurally weak tooth with the loss of at least one cusp requires a crown.
Other Indications:
- Cracked or fractured tooth
- Degenerative or susceptible nerve
- Excessive grinding which would fracture a Type I, II, or Ill restoration.
Biocompatibility: Material Selection
Introduction:
Before being considered for use, dental materials undergo testing for various components, such as strength, wear, resistance, and esthetics. However, no significant testing for biological safety is performed. ANSI Specification 41 is the standard for biological testing of dental materials. It does not specify or require “real world” testing of corrosion, off-loading and ionization, all of which can occur once these materials are placed in the mouth. In fact, products which underperform in these tests can be placed on the market as long as a warning is added on the product insert sheet. Also, many products released into the market do not require testing at all, since they have received “grandfather” status.
Many dentists claim that they use metal free restoration products. In truth, there are few, if any, metal free dental restoratives. The nature of chemistry requires that any existing anion must be balanced with a mineral or metal cation. Consequently, nearly all “metal free” restorations, such as ceramics, porcelains, composites, and glass ionomers, contain metal cations. Therefore, they are not truly metal free. All these restorations, likewise, produce galvanic currents in the mouth, which must be understood and balanced by any dentist.
Reference: go to www.ccrlab.com.
- Common Materials used in Dental Restoration
Type I Direct Filling:
- Composites. These are composed of two-thirds silica glass and one-third resin. The resin compound contains Bis-pheny A (BPA) or a similar compound. Proper polymerization (setting) is considered safe but health concerns have been raised.
- Conpomers. These are composites with a short life span and are rarely used in the United States.
Types II, III, and IV Materials
- Ceramic materials. There are three “families,” including alumina, zirconia and lithium disilicate. Many dentists believe ceramics are biocompatible by nature; however, immune sensitivities may arise not only in the parent molecules, but also in the manufactured and patented versions. To obtain a patent, a manufacturer must alter the parent molecule. In most cases, ceramics are advertised as being improved for strength and esthetics. Usually, this involves the addition of metal ions to the matrix of the ceramic.
- Processed composites. Various composites are lab processed to remove any unreacted chemicals which may leach into the body. As with ceramics, however, various metallics may be added to enhance the characteristics of the composite.
- Gold. A small percentage of patients react to composites and ceramics. In that case, gold is the only option for restoring their teeth. Also, ceramic restorations in severe grinders would disintegrate, even with the use of a mouth guard.
Dental metals are classified by the following categorization.
- “Biological” Gold: Alloys with more than 90% gold and some
- “High Noble”: Many of these alloys contain palladium and other metals which may be biologically reactive.
- “Noble Metal”
- “Base Metals”
NOTE: Only biological gold will be consistently biocompatible in a select population. If one must use a gold alloy, there are homeopathic techniques which work as an antidote for any retention in the body. Also, some alloys may be designated by a palladium free (PF) label to indicate biocompatibility.
*One patient per year may require gold (rare).
4. The Treatment Phases
Dental Pre-Preparation
Introduction: The purpose of this phase is to treat the dental nerves and muscle spasm to reduce the risk of pain, sensitivity or nerve loss.
- If muscle spasm is present and poses a risk to dental nerve health, as in the case where nerve degeneration is present, a bite adjustment may be necessary. If the spasm is severe (neuromuscular dysfunction), two mouth guards may be necessary.
- If nerve degeneration is present, dental acupuncture and neural therapy techniques exist to stimulate nerve health.
Systemic Pre-Preparation
Introduction: The purpose of this phase is to improve one’s ability to function metabolically and to tolerate the amalgam removal process.
- The Nutritional Assessment determines one’s metabolic status, that is, one’s ability to convert food into energy and nutrients and to deliver those essential nutrients to target tissues, such as the oral cavity. There are twelve metabolic diets. Adherence to the wrong one can result in physical degeneration and disease. We also assess for food allergies so that these foods can be eliminated during the therapeutic phase.
- The Systemic Assessment determines one’s ability to process toxins by way of the Immune-Detoxification-Elimination systems. Specific tests measure mercury blood level with liver and kidney function (Quicksilver Scientific). We can perform these tests before and after removal, to show a decrease in blood levels and increase in organ function. Other tests show metal allergies (MELISA test) as well as genetic defects for glutathione (Phase II) and cellular pumps (Phase III) designed to remove mercury and other heavy metals.
Therapeutic Schedule
- Amalgam removal start time: The quadrant of your mouth to be treated and the amount of filling to be removed will be determined either during or after the treatment plan process.
- Waiting periods between treatments: Generally, a period of three to four weeks is satisfactory to allow Waiting periods may vary for patients with more severe conditions.
Day of Treatment Process
- Do’s:
- Do have only a liquid meal, consisting either of fruit smoothies or vegetable juices with protein.
- Do take supplements as prescribed.
- Do take prescribed medications as needed.
- Don’ts:
- Do not take Vitamin C (for all procedures) or omega 3 oils (for all surgical procedures). NOTE: These can be taken after the procedure.
- Do not take NSAID pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen) before surgery.
- Do not work out on the day of treatment
5. The Amalgam Removal Patient Protection Process
Throughout the amalgam removal process, we protect our patients (and ourselves) using several techniques:
- Cooling: Drilling out amalgam fillings generates heat, increasing the release of mercury vapor. We keep your filling cool to reduce the amount of vapor released.
- Chunking: Chunking involves drilling only enough of the filling to cut it into chunks, which are then removed by simple suction. This technique helps to reduce the amount of vapor produced.
- Using a high-volume evacuator: This powerful and important suction tool surrounds the filling during removal. It captures mercury vapor and amalgam particles, thereby minimizing the patient’s exposure to them.
- Oxygen to reduce vapor exposure. We provide you with a protective oxygen mask during amalgam removal. This is especially important if you are pregnant or nursing or have existing health issues related to mercury, allergies, or the immune system.
- Using a rubber dam. A rubber dam isolates the tooth being worked on. It reduces the amount of mercury vapor inhaled and makes evacuation of the filling material easier. It also prevents amalgam particles from being swallowed. With some teeth, however, such as second and third molars (wisdom teeth), it may not be possible to place a rubber dam.
- Cleaning the patient’s mouth. Once the fillings have been removed, we thoroughly rinse and vacuum the patient’s entire mouth. We then ask the patient to gargle and spit out the residue into a sink.
- Keeping room air as pure as possible. We filter our office air to keep it pure and free from any mercury vapor released as a result of amalgam removal.
6. Follow-up Procedures
Homeopathic injections
Acupuncture meridian balance.
Neural therapy
Four-Day Follow-up: Some patients may be advised to double their nutritional supplements for a few days.
7. Post-systemic Therapy
There are various forms of detoxification therapy to assist the body with removal of toxins. We can advise you as to the various techniques and doctors who are skilled in chelation therapy, a medical procedure that uses chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body.
We advise all patients to continue in our practice for periodic re-evaluations of the teeth nerves, gum tissue, and bite and to ensure our treatment plan will provide long-term dental health.
