Face 
Dentistry 
The short answer: If amalgam removal is elective and can safely wait, it may be more appropriate to delay treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, toothache, a broken restoration, swelling or another genuine dental problem should still be assessed rather than ignored.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can make dental decisions feel more complicated.
Patients sometimes worry that they should avoid all dental treatment.
Others become anxious about existing amalgam fillings and feel they should have them removed as quickly as possible.
Neither extreme is helpful.
The most sensible approach is to distinguish between:
elective replacement
and
dental treatment that is genuinely needed.
If an amalgam filling is functioning appropriately and you are considering removal for elective reasons, such as appearance or personal preference, it may be sensible to defer treatment.
There is no need to rush to replace a sound restoration simply because you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
At Evolve Dentistry, we do not recommend removing sound amalgam fillings on the basis that doing so will improve your general health.
That is different.
If you experience:
you should seek dental assessment.
Pregnancy is not a reason to leave genuine dental problems untreated.
Carol, Maggie or your usual dentist can assess the tooth and determine what care is appropriate.
A broken restoration should be assessed.
The appropriate response depends on:
The fact that the restoration is amalgam is only one part of the clinical picture.
Elective treatment is treatment that does not need to happen immediately.
If a sound restoration can simply be monitored, there may be no advantage in undertaking additional restorative treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding when it can reasonably wait.
SMART protocol guidance itself is cautious about elective amalgam removal during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The important point is that deferring elective treatment does not mean deferring necessary dental assessment or urgent care.
It is understandable that pregnancy can make you more conscious of anything you have read about materials, medicines and environmental exposure.
However, this is not a reason to make a rushed dental decision based on alarming online claims.
We do not recommend removing a sound amalgam restoration because of claims that doing so will improve maternal or general health.
If you are concerned, discuss those concerns with your dentist.
Understanding the actual condition of your teeth is far more useful than trying to make the decision from internet information alone.
If you are already considering elective restorative treatment, it can be useful to discuss timing with your dentist.
That gives you the opportunity to understand:
There is no general rule that says all amalgam fillings should be replaced before becoming pregnant.
The same distinction between necessary and elective care remains important.
If you have an urgent or active dental problem, seek assessment.
If you are considering replacement of an otherwise serviceable restoration for elective reasons, timing can be discussed with your dentist.
No.
Routine dental care remains important.
Dental examinations allow your dentist to:
Pregnancy is not a reason to disengage from dental care.
Tell your dental team if:
This helps ensure treatment planning reflects your circumstances.
SMART adds additional precautions during the removal procedure, but it does not change the basic decision about whether elective treatment should happen at that time.
The protocol should not be used as a reason to undertake treatment that could otherwise reasonably be delayed.
As with all treatment:
first decide whether the tooth needs intervention
then:
decide how and when treatment should be provided.
Reality: Dental assessment and necessary dental care remain important during pregnancy.
Reality: We do not recommend removing sound amalgam restorations simply because someone is pregnant.
Reality: Urgent or necessary dental problems should still be assessed and treated appropriately.
Reality: SMART is a removal protocol. It does not determine whether treatment is appropriate or how it should be timed.
Reality: A broken restoration should still be assessed. Elective and necessary treatment are different situations.
A broken filling should be assessed. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual dental problem.
There is no blanket recommendation that sound amalgam restorations should be removed before pregnancy. If you are considering elective replacement, discuss the timing with your dentist.
Elective treatment may be better delayed. Necessary dental problems should still be assessed. Your individual circumstances should be discussed with your dentist.
Seek dental assessment. Pain may indicate a problem with the tooth or restoration that needs investigation.
If treatment is solely for aesthetic preference and the restoration is otherwise serviceable, it may be more appropriate to postpone elective replacement.
Read:
Should I have my amalgam fillings removed?
Is it safe to remove amalgam fillings?
What happens during SMART amalgam removal?
Or return to:
Amalgam removal using the SMART protocol
Your guide to SMART amalgam removal includes a dedicated section on pregnancy, breastfeeding and treatment timing.
If you have a problem with a restoration during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please contact the practice rather than trying to decide online whether treatment can wait.
Carol or Maggie can assess your situation and discuss the appropriate next step.
For general NHS information about dental care and treatment:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/dental-treatments/
For detailed information about the SMART protocol
Read our CQC report
Why is my dentist taking photographs of my teeth?
“Why are you taking photographs of my teeth?”
A perfectly reasonable question.
Dental photographs aren`t just for before-and-afters.
They can help us record what we`re seeing, monitor changes, explain things more clearly and involve you in conversations about your own teeth.
Richard explains why you might see a camera appear during an appointment at Evolve.
Because when we`re talking about your mouth, we think it`s rather useful if you can see what we`re talking about too.
There`s more to a smile transformation than two photographs
A before-and-after shows you two moments.
What it doesn`t show is everything that happened between them.
The conversations. The planning. What the patient wanted to change. The different options considered. And the decisions about what not to change.
That`s why we think the story behind a smile is every bit as interesting as the finished result.
Every patient is different - and every treatment plan should be too.
Here`s one of the lovely transformations we`ve had the privilege of being part of at Evolve. 💚
What actually happens during a dental examination?
If it’s been a while since your last dental examination, not knowing what to expect can sometimes make booking that appointment feel like a much bigger deal.
So what actually happens when you come in?
Richard explains what your dentist is looking for during a dental examination - and why it involves much more than simply checking whether you need a filling.
Regular examinations give us an opportunity to keep an eye on your teeth, gums and mouth, talk about anything that has changed and identify anything that may need our attention.
And if you haven’t been for a while? Please don’t feel embarrassed.
We’re simply pleased you’ve decided to come and see us.
🦷 We’re hiring - Dental Nurse | Portishead
We’re looking for a lovely new person to join our award-winning team at Evolve Dentistry.
You could be an experienced or newly qualified Dental Nurse, already in training, or looking for a completely new career - we’re genuinely open to all three. Finding the right person matters most.
If you’re new to dental nursing, we’ll fund and support you through your qualification.
💚 Permanent | Approx. 36 hours per week
💷 Trainee: £13.50-£14.50 per hour
💷 Qualified: £14.50-£16.55 per hour
📍 Portishead
📅 Monday, Thursday, Friday + alternate Saturdays
You’ll join a friendly, supportive team with great benefits, funded training and plenty of opportunities to develop.
Interested? Send your CV and a short covering note to hello@evolve-dentistry.co.uk.
Know someone who might be perfect for Evolve? Please tag them or share this with them. 💚
https://evolve-dentistry.co.uk/recruitment/
A little Evolve refresh 💚
You may have noticed something new if you’ve passed us recently…
Our new external signage is up!
We’ve given the outside of Evolve a refresh, making it even easier to spot us when you’re visiting the practice.
It’s been lovely seeing everything come together, and we think it looks rather smart. 😊
Have you spotted it yet?
#EvolveDentistry #Portishead #PortisheadDentist #LovePortishead #Evolve
Starting orthodontic treatment can feel like a big step.
But once you know what to expect, the whole journey often feels much less daunting.
From your first appointment to the day your braces come off, every stage is carefully planned to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile.
Swipe through our step-by-step guide to see what happens during orthodontic treatment - and how we’ll support you every step of the way.
https://bit.ly/3RTNc22
#AdultBraces #Orthodontics #SmileJourney #SmileConfidence #EvolveDentistry #portishead #nailsea #clevedon #Portisheadmarina
