Will removing mercury amalgam fillings cause greater risks than keeping them in?

I keep hearing that mercury fillings are dangerous but also hear that removing them will cause more mercury to enter your body?

It really depends on if you are sensitive to the amalgam or not. Or do you clench and grind your teeth which may release toxins into the mouth? I have had patients who's health was poor and declining. They had the amalgam fillings removed and did much better.
There is a release of mercury when removing them so most dentists won't do but one or two at a time. The release of mercury effects the dentist who is removing them and the patient. If you are sensitive to the mercury and have them removed you need to go through some kind of detox to remove the heavy metals from your system. There are many dentists who will argue both sides of the issue as stated previously but I always lean to the natural, what's best for the body side and mercury has always been a very toxic heavy metal....why put it in your mouth. I had cancer 10 years ago and had all my amalgams removed over a two year period soon after.

Your question is thoughtful. The concern of keeping amalgam fillings or removing them is a common question. Since trace amount of mercury are found in amalgam (it is used as a solvent to help in the bonding process of the various metals that are used in silver fillings); there is some amalgam released during the placement process and the removal process.

Two important studies have been done by the American Medical Association and by the American Dental Association. These studies had concluded that amalgam is safe and that the evidence of diseases caused by 'mercury fillings' is unsupported and inconclusive. There is some hype surrounding the removal of the silver fillings and replacing them with other materials. It's just that...hype.

The only reasons an individual should need to remove an amalgam filling is due to new decay forming around a filling and/or aesthetic concerns. As far as health and safety are concerned, if the filling is intact and functioning well there is no need to have it replaced.

Some of the smartest physicians, dentists and researchers in the world have extensively researched this issue and had concluded that the material is safe and effective.