What are the safety concerns about dental amalgam?
Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing. FDA’s rulemaking (described in question 7) will examine evidence concerning whether release of mercury vapor can cause health problems, including neurological disorders, in children and fetuses. Since the 1990s, FDA and other government agencies (CDC, NIH) have reviewed the scientific literature looking for links between dental amalgams and health problems. In September 2006, an advisory panel to the FDA reviewed FDA’s research and heard presentations from the public about the benefits and risks of mercury and amalgam. You can read the summary of the panel meeting at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/meetings/090606-summary.html In addition, a complete transcript is available at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/cdrh06.html#dental
Related Questions
- Why does the dental profession continue to use amalgam when questions are being raised about its safety, even if there are no proven dangers?
- WHAT DOES THE ACT SAY ABOUT LABELLING INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES?
- What are the safety concerns about dental amalgam?
