Sweden have not been permitting dental amalgam fillings since1995.Many countries have policies that dental amalgam fillings are not used. But what is dental amalgam filling?
Dental amalgam filling is composed of silver alloy( 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper and other metals) combined with mercury. The whole controversy over safety applies to the use of mercury. No doubt that Mercury is a known toxin and some people are allergic for that.
Amulgam fillings are usually used on the back teeth what we call molars or grinder teeth, where we need them for their chewing compressive strengths which can reach up to 30 kilogram.
This question being raised about this material that has been used for at least 150 years — amalgam tooth fillings.
On June 3, 2008 an update for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website saying that “dental amalgam may have toxic effects on the nervous systems of developing fetuses and children”. but there was not enough information about that .
The question is Does Amalgam filling releases enough mercury to cause harm?
On April 19, 2006, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study showed more mercury in the urine of children who received amalgam fillings than others received resin fillings. However, the children sample with the amalgam fillings did not have a decrease in IQ or memory. They even did not have any higher rate of kidney problems.
In 2009, the FDA confirmed that amalgam fillings are safe to use for adults and children above 6 . But cautioned that “pregnant or nursing mothers and parents with young children should talk with their dentists if they have concerns about dental amalgam.”
Clinical studies in these groups have found No link between dental amalgam fillings and causing health problems.
Some researches are available about the possible effects of amalgam fillings on the following groups:
- Children under the age of 6
- Pregnancy and developing fetuses
- Breastfeeding mothers
In 1998, the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs reviewed all relevant studies and literature. The council reported that “based upon available information, amalgam continues to be a safe and effective restorative material.”
Use dental amalgam filling with caution. For example:
- Do not have amalgam fillings placed or removed, during pregnancy. Removal releases mercury.
- If your child less than 6 years of age and needs a filling, consider other materials.
- In case of allergy to mercury or impaired kidney function, avoid using amalgam fillings.
- consider removal of the dental amalgam fillings in case If you grind your teeth.
The trend is that when ever researches come up with new material/materials ( filling) condemning starts of the older material being used. This trend probably will continue, even as research continues on the amalgam safetyLeave a reply →