Do you have dental mercury fillings in your teeth? Dental amalgam (silver fillings) is made up primarily of mercury, tin, silver and zinc. Mercury make up slightly over 50% of the filling by weight. Mercury is one of the most neuro-toxic (nerve damaging) substances on earth. Large amounts of mercury can be released during removal in amalgam fillings, mercury is released slowly until the filling is removed. Precautions must be taken by your dentist to protect the patient from exposure to mercury during removal. At Dublin Dental we use these precautions with replacing mercury with composite material. The use of dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte (saliva), causes a small electrical current. There is some evidence that the electrical current may have negative effects on health. The quality of the dental care and treatment provided by holistic dentists can vary significantly. There is no set of rules or requirements necessary for a dentist to be a holistic. So patients must be good consumers and educate themselves prior to making a choice.