Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, is not only a mercury-free dentist but also a mercury-safe dentist. You will find that there are a lot of people that avoid the use of mercury in their new fillings these days. But not so many of us really understand the importance of a dentist who not only does not use mercury but is also safe in his removal of mercury.



Dr. Tom McGuire, DDS, is a dental researcher and is an innovator and leader in holistic dental wellness. He explains, ?Mercury safe dentists have the specialized equipment, training, experience and skills necessary to minimize your exposure to mercury during amalgam removal. It's one thing to believe that the mercury released from a patient's amalgam fillings on a daily basis isn't a health hazard. But it's another thing entirely not to offer the dental patient protection against mercury vapor exposure during the removal process. These are two separate issues because there's a huge difference between the amount of mercury emitted from the fillings on a daily basis and the amount released during their removal at the dental office, up to a 1000 times more during unsafe removal.?

Dr. Mc Guire continues, ?For some, the effects of dental materials on their health can be significant. Today we are exposed to thousands of potentially toxic substances that didn't exist 50, or even 20, years ago and every year more are added to the list. The effects on health of man-made substances vary from person to person. Some may not be affected, while, for others, the same substance may be toxic and elicit a harmful reaction. The source of these substances range from what is put into the food we eat, to household chemicals, pesticides, toxic substances resulting from the manufacturing process, auto emissions, and products and materials used in medical and dental treatment.?

Dr. Maddahi provides effective toxic sensitivity testing, called Serum Biocompatibility Testing, for his patients. With this testing, he can determine which is the best dental material to use for each individual patient. With over 2,000 dental materials to choose from, he finds it vital to test a patient, as some people may be allergic to particular materials and others may only be sensitive to some degree to others. There is no one choice of material perfect for everyone.

?The simplest definition of biocompatibility is the ability of a substance to exist within, or alongside, living things without harming them.?, explains Dr. Mc Guire. ?The biocompatibility of a dental material refers to the ability of the material to provide the desired function without causing any undesirable local or systemic effects in the body. This means it will not cause any kind of allergic inflammatory response, or any other undesirable reaction in the individual.?

However, mercury has been found to be dangerous to a high percentage of people. Just recently, Newsweek Magazine published an article entitled ?Mercury Tooth Fillings: FDA Does an About Face?, in the June 10, 2008 edition written by Sharon Begley. It states, ?Mercury is a known neurotoxin, especially dangerous to developing brains. For decades anti-mercury activists have pushed the industry to develop substitutes (so-called composites, or resins, are now available), and even to persuade people to have their fillings ripped out, but have made very little headway.?

?Now they have won a big one.?, the article continues. ?In a legal settlement signed last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has changed the information on its Web site about amalgam fillings to say that they ?may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus,? and that pregnant women ?should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner.? Previously, there was no such warning. The FDA also agreed to decide by next year whether mercury fillings need more regulation.?

A vital fact that Dr. Maddahi has known for many years, is further stated in the Newsweek article states, ?Surely it is reasonable to stop pretending that putting neurotoxins in our mouths-where they stay for decades, with tiny puffs of mercury being released every time we chew-is a good idea. After all, there was also a time when ?experts? pooh-poohed the suspicion that lead was bad for children's brains, too.?

In order to have your dental work done safely, it's a good idea to visit a mercury-free and mercury-safe dentist such as Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, and to have thorough Serum Biocompatibility Testing so that you may choose the best dental materials for your use.