Is Mercury In Dental Amalgam Safe?
This question has created much debate in the scientific community over the past 10-15 years. While the answer appears to be yes for a vast majority of persons with amalgam fillings no studies have been done that proves amalgam to be 100% safe. This topic has garnered more public interest and research in Scandinavian countries than in the United States. The form of mercury used in amalgam is primarily inorganic elemental mercury. In toxic doses its main effects are on the nervous system with absorption either through the skin or by inhalation. Absorption from the intestines is minimal. The position of major US and Canadian dental organizations is that amalgam is unequivocally safe and effective. Support for this position is based on the amount of time amalgam fillings have been used (over 150 years) and that only very small amounts of mercury leak from amalgam fillings. However, statements that “Amalgam fillings have been proven 100% safe” are not supported by scientific evidence. U.S.
References Position of Health Canada Health Canada Position Statement on Dental Amalgam Can a Dentist Ethically Remove Serviceable Amalgam (Silver) Fillings? Dental AmalgamPatient Teaching Post-Test Learning Objectives After completing the course, you’ll be able to: Amalgam Fillings: Do Dental Patients Have a Right to Informed Consent? • Recount the history of amalgam fillings and controversy swirling around their use over the past 150 years. • Describe the current research being done regarding the safety of amalgam fillings. • Discuss informed consent as it may apply to amalgam fillings in dental practice. Dental Amalgam Use and Benefits • List 7 circumstances where the use of dental amalgam is indicated. • List 3 instances where dental amalgam is contraindicated. • Provide at least 4 reasons as to why it is inappropriate at this time to recommend any restrictions on the use of dental amalgam. Consumer Update: Dental Amalgams • Discuss the investigative efforts of the U.S. Public Heal
NO! It is poisonous but its release is extremely small. Some studies say dental mercury is harmless while others say it is harmful. Dr. Miller’s feeling is that it is relatively harmless however, for the past 7 years Dr. Miller has not done silver fillings – based on reasons other than whether mercury is harmless or not. Dr. Miller feels that although amalgam was the best material for filling teeth for hundreds of years, it is not the best any longer given that silver fillings require the dentist to remove more tooth structure to “lock in” the amalgam, since silver does not “stick” to teeth. Amalgams are also more likely to cause fractures in teeth rather than composite resins.. Why do dentists use dental amalgam? Dental amalgam has withstood the test of time, which is why it is the material of choice. Amalgam is a very durable material and has been used safely for more than 150 years. It is estimated that well over 1 billion amalgam restorations (fillings) are placed annually. Dentist
Mercury in dental amalgam is not poisonous. When mercury is combined with other materials in dental amalgam, its chemical nature changes, so it is essentially harmless. The amount released in the mouth under the pressure of chewing and grinding is extremely small (1-3 micrograms)** and no cause for alarm. In fact, it is less than what patients are exposed to in food, air, and water ( 5-7 micrograms a day)**. Ongoing scientific studies conducted over the past 100 years continue to prove that amalgam is not harmful. Claims of diseases caused by mercury in amalgam are anecdotal, as are claims of miraculous cures achieved by removing amalgam. These claims have not been proven scientifically Up To Top. Why do dentists use dental amalgams? Dental amalgam has withstood the test of time, which is why it is the material of choice.
