One wire from the device goes to a brass cylinder covered by moist gauze, which the patient holds in one hand. A second wire is connected to a probe, which the operator touches to various points inside the mouth. This completes a low-voltage circuit, and the device registers the flow of current, which the operator misinterprets as abnormal. The Bottom Line Mercury poisoning is very rare and requires considerable exposure, usually at work. Thus, routine mercury testing of persons who are not industrially exposed should be regarded as a scam.
Most perpetrators are either zealots or poorly informed, but some are pure frauds.
They typically recommend replacing all amalgams with other materials, usually composite plastics. Replacing fillings with composite entails risks that include death of tooth pulps, loss of teeth, and alteration of the bite. Composite fillings are not approved for back teeth on biting surfaces where they may be subjected to heavy wear. Also, plastic formulations are not standardized and contain a large number of reactive compounds. In addition to practicing medicine, he serves as a medical and dental consultant to many state licensing boards, federal agencies, insurance companies, and the legal profession.