Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal (SMART) in Wake Forest, NC
If you have silver fillings and you’ve been thinking about having them removed, the most
important decision isn’t whether to remove them — it’s making sure it’s done right.
At Supremia Dentistry, we follow the SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal
Technique), developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
(IAOMT). SMART is a comprehensive set of precautions designed to minimize mercury
exposure during the removal process — for you and for our team. It’s the standard of care
Dr. Morgan holds for every amalgam removal we perform.
Why the removal process requires special precautions
Amalgam fillings are approximately 50% mercury by weight. The removal process — drilling,
cutting, heat — can temporarily increase mercury exposure if the right safeguards aren’t in
place. Standard dental suction and masks alone aren’t sufficient.
SMART protocol addresses this at every stage, protecting you and the dental team
throughout the procedure.
What SMART removal involves at Supremia Dentistry
Isolation and barriers
- Rubber dam to seal off the tooth and prevent particles from entering the mouth and throat
- Dry Shield for additional oral isolation and continuous suction
- Full-body barriers covering hair and clothing
Reducing vapor exposure
- Extra-oral high-volume suction positioned outside the mouth to capture vapor before it reaches the breathing zone
- Oxygen via nasal cannula throughout the procedure — you breathe clean oxygen, not operatory air
- Copious water irrigation to keep the filling cool and limit vapor release during cutting
Removal technique
- Sectioning the amalgam in large chunks rather than grinding — fewer cuts means less mercury aerosolized
Before and after
- Activated charcoal rinse before and after the procedure to bind mercury in the digestive tract
- Mercury-specific wipes used to clean the operatory after every procedure
Provider protection
- Dr. Morgan and her assistant wear mercury-rated masks — not standard surgical masks — for every SMART procedure
What replaces the filling
After safe removal, we place a biocompatible, tooth-colored restoration — composite resin
or ceramic — that bonds directly to your tooth. These materials don’t corrode, don’t
conduct electricity, and preserve more natural tooth structure than metal fillings do.
What to know before scheduling
- We do not recommend amalgam removal during pregnancy
- At your consultation, Dr. Morgan will review your health history and discuss whether any
additional pre- or post-treatment support is appropriate for you - If you’re unsure whether removal is right for your situation, a conversation with Dr. Morgan is a good place to start
Call the office you'll be glad you did!
Dental Services
Contact Us
Ready to take this step?
Call us at 919-556-6200 or request an appointment online.
Awards & Notable Mentions
Supremia Dentistry has been awarded the Wake Living Reader’s Choice Awards for the 6th consecutive year.
