<![CDATA[My Site - Blog]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:04:06 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Do silver colored (amalgam) tooth fillings need to be replaced?]]>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:15:23 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/do-silver-colored-amalgam-tooth-fillings-need-to-be-replaced
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Do silver colored (amalgam) tooth fillings need to be replaced?

Our patients often ask if it is necessary to have their silver (amalgam) fillings replaced. Amalgam fillings have a long history in dentistry. The first dental amalgams were placed in the 1800”s and have been the subject of much controversy and debate. Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of primarily mercury silver, copper and tin.

If your fillings are in good condition and there is no decay beneath the filling, the FDA does not recommend that you have your amalgam fillings removed or replaced. Removing intact amalgam fillings results in unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure and exposes you to a temporary increase in mercury vapor released during the removal process. Intact amalgam fillings in any individual, including the sensitive groups such as pregnant/nursing mothers and children, should not be removed for the purpose of preventing any disease or health condition, unless considered medically necessary by a health care professional. If you have a health condition (especially sensitivity/allergy to mercury, or neurological/kidney disease), you may discuss the need for removal and replacement with your dentist and/or physician.


The American Dental Association Resolved in October 2022, that to advocate to a patient or the public the removal of clinically serviceable dental amalgam restorations solely to substitute a material that does not contain mercury is unwarranted and violates the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct



]]><![CDATA[Disturbing Trends in the Delivery of Dental Care]]>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 19:23:45 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/disturbing-trends-in-the-delivery-of-dental-careThe following message was recently posted by a dentist in Dallas, Texas on a blog. I found the content to reflect disturbing changes I have observed in the delivery of dental care. I am not sure that many patients understand this and hope this message will help people become cautious when seeking care:

“Recently, we had a patient visit us from another dental practice. She was told that her tooth required an extraction, to be taken out. I always listen to what patients have to say. At the same time, I perform an examination and an assessment independent from what I am told. On this particular occasion, I did not agree with the previous dental practice at all. Unfortunately, this happens way too much. I decided that I could perform a much more conservative procedure, which we did. Over a month has gone by, and this patient is elated to have not lost a tooth. She may have been facing paying for a dental implant with its restoration, unnecessarily. We saved her thousands of dollars. This is not the first time this has happened! The delivery of dental care has drastically changed. Patients need to understand this. There are many other entities who own or manage dental practices now. On many occasions, the treating dentist does not have an ownership stake in the dental practice. On too many occasions, it is difficult to tell if the dentist owns the practice to some degree. With these differences in the delivery of dental care, there are new and different ownership responsibilities, motivations, and philosophies of dental practice. Patients need to somehow know this. So what can you do about this? Obtain second opinions. Research dental practices online, and make sure the five-star reviews apply to the particular dentist, and not to the dental practice, because this can make a big difference. Ask friends who have been with the same dental practice for many years with the same dentist. You can help yourself and save thousands of dollars and much time and aggravation.”]]><![CDATA[Microscopes can make Dentistry better for Dentists and Patients]]>Thu, 29 Dec 2022 21:54:37 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/microscopes-can-make-dentistry-better-for-dentists-and-patients
Click to see Video of Microscope use in Dentistry
]]><![CDATA[Advantages of Microscopes in Dentistry]]>Tue, 16 Nov 2021 17:55:45 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/advantages-of-microscopes-in-dentistry
Click to read Academy of General Dentistry Article
]]><![CDATA[Providing Safe Dental Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic]]>Wed, 11 Nov 2020 17:28:56 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/providing-safe-dental-care-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
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On November 10, 2020 it was reported: "To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission or dental care-associated mortality for Dental Healthcare Professionals and their patients" Through advanced Personal Protective Equipment and meticulous disinfection and infection control protocols Dental Offices are able to offer comprehensive dental treatment during this ongoing pandemic. When you come to our office you will notice our adherence to strict safety measures to protect you during your dental treatment. We still try to adhere to our long standing policy of getting patients into the office with minimal waiting time. If you have any questions about coming to our office for your Dental Care please give us a call at 251-639-1853.  We hope all is well with you and your families!
]]><![CDATA[OPENING ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.]]>Mon, 04 May 2020 19:06:48 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/opening-access-to-dental-care-during-covid-19-pandemic
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We are now being allowed to transition into performing non-urgent dental procedures in addition to the emergency dental care that we have been able to offer. CDC, Board of Health, and Board of Dental Examiners guidelines will dictate new protocols for office preparation, patient interaction, and personal protective equipment. Over the next few weeks our office will carefully phase into addressing more of the dental needs of our patients.  If you would like to make an appointment for needed dental care please call our office at 251-639-1853 and we will advise you of the changes that are required for your next dental visit. Please let us know if you have been sick, have a fever, have tested positive for Covid-19, or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19. We will modify our procedures as changes are made to CDC guidelines and we will, as always, take whatever measures we can to protect the health of our patients and our staff. 
]]><![CDATA[Dental Care during the Covid-10 Pandemic]]>Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:28:24 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/dental-care-during-the-covid-10-pandemic
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As this pandemic continues to move across our country we are still being directed to only provide urgent dental care.  We will continue to monitor this situation and make preparations to return to providing non-urgent care when we are advised by the authorities. When we are able to return we want to assure you that we will take steps to provide care in a safe environment for both our patients and our staff. 

]]><![CDATA[DENTAL TREATMENT PROTOCOL AMIDST CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:41:51 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/dental-treatment-protocol-amidst-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic
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IN RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE ALABAMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION, THE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS OF ALABAMA, THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, AND UAB SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, WE ARE POSTPONING ALL NON-URGENT DENTAL PROCEDURES IN OUR OFFICE.
iF YOU ARE A PATIENT OF RECORD IN OUR OFFICE AND HAVE AN URGENT DENTAL EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL US FIRST AND WE WILL ASSESS YOUR PROBLEM.  WE WILL THEN ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOU IF INDICATED.
AS SOON AS WE ARE ADVISED TO BY THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES, WE WILL RESUME MAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR ELECTIVE PROCEDURES.
]]><![CDATA[Should You Avoid Going to the Dentist Now?]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:38:39 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/should-you-avoid-going-to-the-dentist-now
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For the safety of our dental care team, and other patients, we ask that you call our office prior to coming in for your appointment if you have a fever, cough, traveled outside of the country recently, or been in close proximity with an individual that has received a positive test result for the coronavirus. Otherwise, all healthy individuals should continue their normal routine, including keeping their upcoming dental appointments.

We routinely follow strict infection control procedures in our office to insure your safety and to prevent transmission of all diseases.

]]><![CDATA[Dental X-rays should not be taken every Six Months on every patient.]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2019 17:18:24 GMThttp://www.kimdmd.com/blog/dental-x-rays-should-not-be-taken-every-six-months-on-every-patientThe American Dental Association has guidelines for frequency of Dental Radiographs (Xrays).
The decision to take xrays should be made by the Dentist based on the individual patient's needs.  Some patients without a history of Dental Caries may have xrays as infrequently as every 3 years.
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