Dental Air Vac

Hello everyone!

Many people who come into our office for treatment ask, “What is THAT thing? It looks like an elephant!” Well, we thought we’d take this blog post to explain what THAT thing is!

This is our Dental Air Vac. You may be wondering what it is used for. Well, we use our Air Vac for many things, but primarily it’s use is for safe amalgam removal.

Dental mercury fillings, commonly referred to as amalgam fillings, consist of a mixture of metals, including mercury, a key component known for its toxicity to humans, particularly its potential to damage the nervous system, kidneys, and other parts of the body even in small amounts. Due to these risks, the removal of mercury fillings requires careful handling to minimize exposure to mercury vapor, including the use of a high-volume dental air evacuator to capture mercury vapors. This meticulous approach helps protect both the patient and dental staff from potential mercury exposure during the removal process. To learn more about dental mercury toxicity, please visit Risks of Mercury Fillings. 

This vacuum has 3 filters in it to safely remove amalgam vapors from the air. First, it has a pleated pre-filter that is able to capture particulate down to about 7 microns. The second, and most important filter is the HEPA filter that is able to capture and contain particulate down to 0.3 micron. Finally, the last filter is a blended carbon filter and is specifically designed to capture and adsorb particulate finer than 0.3 micron as well as sub-micron odors and vapors. These filters are safely replaced every 3-6 months or 6-12 months, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Thanks to our strict amalgam removal protocol, many patients have informed us that they feel much lighter and energized after mercury removal. The entire process is strictly monitored to ensure the safety and comfort of the patient. 

At Seattle Dental Care, our holistic dentist ensures to provide each of our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you're ready to experience the best biological dental care, please contact holistic dentist Seattle WA at (206) 728-1330 or visit us at 2107 Elliott Ave Ste 210, Seattle, WA 98121. We will be happy to guide you further.