Newbie question: Do dark amalgams always contain mercury?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I'm new to this group and am the mom of 3 kids, one with serious

learning difficulties and 2 others with lots of allergies & other

health issues. I'm just getting into chelation for my eldest with LDs

and since reading so much about metals toxicity in Andy's book &

elsewhere, have concluded that I am most likely mercury toxic and am

the main reason that my kids (and I) have many health issues.

I will be getting a hair test for myself soon and meanwhile want to

ask a couple of questions about amalgams.

Is there any way to know for certain if fillings contain mercury? I

only have 2 fillings that were done in the 80s in Canada - they are

dark in colour, metallic grey/black now. Is there *any* chance that

there is no mercury in these? Is there a way to test this or do all

dark fillings necessarily have mercury?

I've read that most dark fillings contain mercury, but does that mean

100% of them?

The reason that I am asking if there is a glimmer of hope is because I

have a really serious case of dentist-phobia due to traumatic dental

work I got as a child (I haven't seen a dentist in years). I am

entirely capable of procrastinating getting to the dentist especially

if he's going to do any drilling during an appointment. I've already

put off asking this question for a few months.

My next question: if there is mercury, does it make more sense to pull

the teeth concerned rather than drill & replace the fillings? I've

read that some people get worse after drilling around amalgams since

the amalgams can leach into teeth enamel.

Just writing about drilling, pulling teeth etc is making me shaky,

sick & faint so if there is a way to test for mercury without going to

the dentist I'm willing to go to the trouble & foot the bill.

Thanks in advance for your help,