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Aug
Mercury-free vs mercury-safe dentistry
As a biologic dentist, Owens Dental Berthoud practices both mercury-safe and mercury-free dentistry. There are important distinctions between these two approaches. Due to our wide-ranging expertise in mercury safety, patients from northern Colorado and beyond know that their health and safety are in good hands.
What is mercury-safe dentistry?
Our office is certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology in safely removing mercury fillings. The IAOMT is a global network of dentists and researchers committed to the biocompatibility of dental materials and products. This organization has developed a series of standards to minimize the release of mercury during the removal of amalgam fillings. We have demonstrated our adherence to these standards, known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART).
What is amalgam?
Amalgam refers to the material used in silver-colored fillings. Dental amalgam is made with various metals; however, the IAOMT reports that mercury makes up approximately 50% of the average amalgam filling by weight. Mercury is a known toxin. We only use non-toxic materials that have demonstrated their biocompatibility. These biocompatible options include composite resin, a quartz-like material that can be precisely color-matched. So, it looks beautiful in your smile, too.
What is the difference between mercury-free and mercury-safe?
A mercury-free practice does not place amalgam fillings, but this distinction does not reflect the full scope of mercury safety. We practice both mercury-free and mercury-safe dentistry. We have invested in the training and equipment to perform amalgam filling removal in accordance with SMART. These precautions minimize the release of and exposure to mercury during the process of taking out and replacing these fillings.
Why is mercury released during the process?
Mercury fillings present health risks just by being in your mouth. This toxin can accumulate in various organs; however, mercury is released at a higher rate when amalgam is removed. As steps are taken to remove the filling, mercury is emitted as particles and vapors. This presents a threat to the safety of our patients and dental team. It is also an environmental threat. We take proper safeguards at every step in the process, including during the disposal of mercury waste so it doesn’t end up in our community’s waterways.
What precautions do you take?
The Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique includes nearly 20 protective measures. As a certified practice, we use special protective garments, eyewear, and masks to prevent particles and vapors from being inhaled or ingested. We have also invested in advanced filtration and evacuation systems developed to minimize the release of mercury into the environment. These supplies, products, and technologies represent just a few of the investments and safeguards we have taken to protect our patients, staff, and community.
Contact Owens Dental Berthoud today to experience the benefits of mercury-free and mercury-safe dentistry—call (970) 444-5464 to speak with a team member in Berthoud, CO.
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Dr. Tim Owens
Dr. Tim Owens is a highly skilled and compassionate dentist, known for his holistic approach to dental care. After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2004, he pursued further training in general dentistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine. With a background in physical therapy, he integrates this unique discipline into his dental practice. Dr. Owens is an active member of the IAOMT and a certified provider of Ozone Therapy, ensuring his patients receive biologic treatments that promote both oral and overall health. He is also pursuing certification in Biologic Dentistry and the SMART technique for mercury removal.
His affiliations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, and the Colorado Dental Association, among others.
Why People Love Owens Dental Berthoud
She used to come to Dr. Owens because the level of care and service that I have received here for almost over 10 years has been exceptional. I feel that I’m valued as a patient. You know, you personally feel like it’s a lot of family values, the office makes you feel like you’re in a large city, you feel like you’re in a local dentist office, that we’re not with receptionists but all the dental hygienists knowing my name. They’ve made me feel welcomed and remembered. They always remember my name or something that we talked about the last time I was in. The atmosphere is very relaxed. They make you feel really comfortable, they make you feel like a friend. Everything is always kind of fun here, it’s professional but it’s also fun and very calming. I always feel extremely comfortable here. Fundamentally you forget you’re at the dentist you know everybody they give you a sense that they know you. Always happy to see you and we come in the back for your examination of procedure. They treat you like an individual and it’s always very professional and very relaxed you know, are you okay, can I get you anything. They would ask if you are comfortable, is there anything I can get you. Everyone always asks if you need anything, can I help you with anything, and to me that’s very important. Dr. Owens and his team have explained all the procedures thoroughly to me which is aided in me being very comfortable. I have some unique dental problems and Dr. Owens approached me very cautiously but you know annoyingly about it you know I knew by myself so I really appreciate that and never pushed anything which I thought was very impressive. Everybody knows me and addresses me by name and they make me feel comfortable in the front office they’ve boys taking care of the billing. Everybody is aware of what’s going on and they work well together and always enjoy coming in here. My name is Lynn, my name is Valerie, I’m a certified public accountant, I’m a retired teacher of 23 years, I’m a massage therapist and a graphic designer, I’m a patient of Dr. Owens, and I am a patient of Dr. Owens, and I’m a patient of Dr. Owens and always will be.
My smile I wasn’t happy with it. I consider myself an attractive person and I’m a happy person and my smile just didn’t match the inside. I was a little apprehensive. I was kind of always kind of like keeping my lip down. I wasn’t really self-conscious about my smile. It was just not what I wanted it to be so I went on Google and found Dr. Owens and came here and I was very happy I did. A number of people were telling me, especially my wife, that your teeth are kind of crooked and jagged and everything and so at some point a man, maybe they have a point and I should do something. I felt very insecure and not very confident with my smile. I just felt like yellow. I wanted to replace the front four and as long as we were doing it I said I want them to be beautiful -it was time – it was time – it was time to make a change there was no pain involved it was just it was just a really great process for me I it was so smooth and so easy and I would have done this ten years ago if I would have known it was so easy. It’s boosted a lot of confidence that I have and I can’t believe how many compliments I get out of my smiles. It’s just made a whole difference in how I feel when I perform because I feel like my smile is beautiful because when I sing and when I perform that’s what you see is my smile. But my new smile I feel wakes me up from my job. I can just be myself and not cover my smile anymore. I’m always kind of a happy-go-lucky guy so my smile got even better, but mostly because my wife got the feeling that it was much more beautiful, and happy. You know you’re not as much hiding behind you know you’re smiling white and yeah, you’re just happier and more confident I would say. After I had my teeth done, I was on a dating site and after I had my teeth done and I put up new pictures, boy my dating life picked up a ton. So, you know men are all about the smile. It really has just changed not who I am but it’s changed the reflection of who I am which is exactly what I was after. People are, you know, wondering will it really change my life? Will it really make a difference? It made a huge difference for me.