Safe Amalgam Filling Removal in Bruxism and Tooth Grinding Cases:
Amalgam Filling Removal in patients who Brux and Grind their teeth can be challenging cases. Tooth Wear or specifically wear of the enamel including cracking, chipping and abrading of the enamel will predispose teeth to decay and will prematurely break down existing filling materials. In the picture below, the yellow area adjacent to the Amalgam filling is where all of the white enamel has been worn away, exposing the underlying Dentin. The Amalgam Filling is also crumbling and separating from the tooth. All of this damage was caused by a TMJ problem. TMJ or TMD is defined as a misalignment between the best fit of the teeth and the path of closure of the jaw. The misalignment causes tooth clenching and grinding or Bruxism. TMJ or TMD problems can be diagnosed and cured by a specially trained TMJ Dentist.
In the case below, the Amalgam Filling containing Mercury Filling material was removed using the www.IAOMT.org safe amalgam filling material protocol. Additionally the TMJ problem was corrected with a Bite Adjustment and the exposed dentin was sealed (as was the original amalgam filling material) with a BPA-free tooth colored composite filling material.
