Loul Dental Studio is a mercury-free dentist in Santa Barbara. We never place amalgam fillings, and when we remove existing ones, we use careful protective protocols designed to protect you, our team, and the environment.
"Dentistry has come too far for there to be any reason to leave a metal that's known to be toxic sitting in someone's mouth for decades. The materials we have now are stronger, safer, and visually indistinguishable from natural enamel."
Dental amalgam is approximately 50% mercury by weight — a heavy metal with well-documented biological effects. While debate continues about the long-term risks of amalgam in place, what's not debated is that mercury vapour is released during placement, during removal, and slowly throughout the life of the filling.
Today, we have excellent alternatives. Modern composite resins and ceramic restorations bond directly to tooth structure, restore strength, look indistinguishable from natural enamel, and contain no mercury or other concerning metals. There is no clinical scenario in modern dentistry that requires amalgam.
At Loul Dental Studio, we have never placed an amalgam filling — and we never will. We also offer careful, protective removal of existing amalgams for patients who want them out, using protocols that minimise mercury exposure during the procedure itself.
Tooth-coloured, bonded directly to the tooth structure, mercury-free, and aesthetically indistinguishable from natural enamel. The everyday standard for modern fillings.
For larger restorations where composite isn't enough, lab-crafted or in-house milled ceramic restorations offer superior strength, longevity, and biocompatibility — ideal for biologic patients.
When you want existing mercury fillings removed, we use careful protective protocols — rubber dam isolation, high-volume evacuation, alternative air sources, and biocompatible replacement materials.
Material selection guided by your specific health considerations — useful for patients with autoimmune conditions, sensitivities, or those committed to a fully biologic approach.
Removal is one step. We discuss nutritional support, ozone therapy where appropriate, and what to expect in the weeks following — supporting recovery, not just performing a procedure.
When an amalgam is removed, the tooth needs to be restored. Our in-house milling capability means many ceramic restorations can be completed in a single visit — no temporary, no second appointment.
Removing mercury fillings safely requires more than a drill. It requires careful protocols that minimise mercury vapour and particulate exposure throughout the procedure — for you, for our team, and for the environment. Here's what that looks like in practice.
"Safe amalgam removal isn't a slogan — it's a discipline. Every layer of protection adds something. Skipping any of them isn't the same procedure."
Mercury-free isn't just about what we don't use — it's about what we do. The materials we work with are carefully selected for biocompatibility, aesthetic refinement, and clinical longevity.
Today's hybrid composites are stronger, more durable, and more natural-looking than ever — bonding directly to tooth structure and matching adjacent enamel precisely.
For inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers, lithium disilicate ceramic offers exceptional strength and the most natural light-handling properties available in dentistry.
For crowns and ceramic implants where maximum strength is needed, medical-grade zirconia provides metal-free durability indistinguishable from titanium in performance.
For certain preventive applications and paediatric care, biocompatible glass ionomer materials release fluoride and bond well to compromised tooth structure.
We begin by examining all existing restorations — including imaging of amalgams to assess their condition, the underlying tooth structure, and any sign of compromise. We discuss your specific concerns and your health considerations.
Removal isn't always urgent. We discuss your options honestly: replace now, phase removals over time, or leave certain restorations in place if removal would compromise the tooth. The right approach depends on your specific situation.
When we remove an amalgam, we use the full set of protective protocols described above — rubber dam isolation, high-volume evacuation, alternative air, sectioning, cold-water spray. The procedure is methodical, not rushed.
Once the amalgam is removed, the tooth is restored. For composite restorations, this happens in the same visit. For ceramic inlays or onlays, our in-house milling capability often allows same-day completion as well.
For patients removing multiple amalgams over time, we plan the sequence carefully and follow up between visits. We also discuss nutritional and lifestyle support during the recovery period for those who want it.
For patients committed to fully metal-free dentistry, zirconia implants replace titanium without compromise.
Explore →When restoring teeth after amalgam removal, biomimetic techniques preserve as much natural structure as possible.
Explore →The whole-body, biocompatible approach that shapes every service we offer.
Explore →If you've been considering removal of mercury fillings — or simply want a dentist who has never and will never place them — a consultation is the right starting point. We'll evaluate your specific situation honestly, discuss what makes sense for you, and never pressure you into anything you're unsure about.