Should Amalgam Be Banned?
August 30, 2011
I was reading a recently published report entitled “Economic Impact of Regulating the Use of Amalgam Restorations”. The study looked at the effects a ban on the use of dental amalgam (mercury/metal fillings) would have on our society.
Dental caries (decay) is still a widely prevalent oral disease in all ages of the population. Amalgam has been used for more than 150 years for filling back teeth and is composed of a mixture of silver, other metals, and mercury (50% by weight). As of now, the other options for filling teeth include composite resin, porcelain materials, and gold.
One of the concerns with the use of dental amalgam is that increased mercury levels for extended periods of time are associated with neurological, renal, and immunological impairments. It is known that amalgam restorations release mercury vapor during chewing, and that people with amalgam restorations have slightly elevated urine mercury levels. Another concern is the environmental impact that mercury has when it is disposed of from either excess filling material or removal of the material from teeth.
Although amalgam use is declining in the U.S., it is still widely used. Several countries, including Germany and Norway have limited the use of amalgam to adults and non-pregnant women. Denmark and Sweden have completely banned its use.
The debate in this study is the economic impact restricting the use of dental amalgam would have on our society. Materials other than amalgam are typically more expensive, and some of them do not have the same expected life-span of amalgam, which means they may need to be replaced more frequently.
Basically, the results of the study are as follows. Based on several studies, there is no evidence that the use of dental amalgam leads to any adverse neurological impairments. Likewise, according the report, the disposal of mercury from amalgam fillings is not a significant source of environmental mercury. Predictably, based on the increased costs associated with using other materials, lower-income segments of the population would be most affected by a limitation or ban on amalgam use. This in turn would lead to a higher prevalence of untreated dental disease.
If the studies show the stuff is reasonably safe and a ban would have a disastrous effect on a large segment of the population, it should not be banned. I don’t think the government has the right to limit one’s choice of what they fill their teeth with. Look at cigarettes for crying out loud. If the government wants to ban something ban those. We know those are unsafe. Actually, I do not think they should be banned, although I do agree with the limitation of use to decrease exposure to the rest of the population. If someone wants to smoke, knowing the risks, it should be their right.
Back to amalgam. I do not think there should be a ban on the use of amalgam, but I do think it is the right of the dentist to decide whether they offer it or not. It is also the right of the patient to decide who their dentist is and what is put in their mouth.
One more thing to think about….. if studies show that amalgam is perfectly 100% safe, why have the European countries I mentioned limited or banned its use?
Science or Common Sense?
August 16, 2011
Last week I started talking about how these new “squiggly” light bulbs we are all being forced to use by 2014 contain mercury. Because they contain mercury, they come with their own set of disposal instructions. Although I have not used dental amalgam as a restorative material for over 10 years, I can assure you there are no warnings on the packaging for this product before sticking it in your teeth…….and it is 50% mercury.
I had to replace a thermostat at home last weekend. The message below was strategically placed on a piece of paper to make sure it was not missed:
“Mercury Warning and Recycling Notice: Mercury is considered to be a hazardous material. If this product is replacing a thermostat that contains mercury in a sealed tube, contact your local waste management authority for instructions regarding recycling and proper disposal. It may be unlawful in your state to place it in the trash.”
Here is part of the statement posted on the website of the American Dental Association (ADA):
“Dental amalgam is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness.”
The FDI World Dental Federation and the World Health Organization concluded in a 1997 consensus statement – “No controlled studies have been published demonstrating systemic adverse effects from amalgam restorations.” Another conclusion of the report stated that, aside from rare instances of local side effects of allergic reactions, “the small amount of mercury released from amalgam restorations, especially during placement and removal, has not been shown to cause any adverse health effects.”
I don’t know about you but there are some things in life that I wholeheartedly trust science and research for and then there are other things where common sense takes over. Common sense tells me that if mercury has been taken out of all thermometers, and there are warnings on the packaging of all “new” light bulbs and thermostats, why do we still feel comfortable sticking a product that is 50% mercury in teeth?
Despite the fact that mercury vapor is released into the mouths of people who have amalgam fillings, the daily dose of mercury is not enough to cause concern with the ADA or anyone else. However, all dentists in the state of Massachusetts were mandated by the state to install and register an amalgam separating unit. When the filter needs replacement, it is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of through a licensed waste management company.
Can a dentist advise a patient to have amalgam removed for health/safety reasons? The FDA has concluded that amalgam fillings cause no demonstrated clinical harm to patients and that removing amalgam will not prevent adverse health effects or reverse the course of existing diseases. So, although a dentist cannot legally advise you to remove amalgam fillings, he or she does have the right not to provide them as a service or require the use of certain techniques for their removal.
More next week.
Politicians and Light Bulbs
August 11, 2011
I know what you’re thinking; politicians and light bulbs? That’s an oxymoron. I thought the same thing when I heard this one. It’s back in the news because the date the incandescent light bulb goes out is rapidly approaching.
Congress passed an energy bill which controls the type of light bulbs all Americans must use by the year 2014. It bans the use of the incandescent light bulb and requires the use of those squiggly fluorescent bulbs. I know what you’re thinking again; that’s not so bad….they’re energy saving and that’s good, right?
In addressing the House of Representatives, Rep. Ted Poe of Texas noted that there was nothing in the Constitution that allows the government to control the type of light bulbs Americans use. Other than the lack of constitutional authority, Rep. Poe goes on to say, “These light bulbs contain mercury. So, they have to be disposed of in a certain way. According to EPA rules, you are supposed to take them to a local recycling center.”
Again, that’s not so bad, right? Recycling is good. He goes on to say, “Thanks to Congress, nothing is easy. If you throw them away at home you are supposed to seal them in two plastic bags and place them in the outside trash. Otherwise, the bulb may break and pollute the landfill, of all things. These bulbs are made of glass so they are fragile. If one breaks it or drops it you have to follow simple rules thanks to Congress. And according to the EPA, here’s what you do if you break one of these light bulbs. And I quote, ‘Have people and pets leave the room and don’t let anyone walk through the area. They must evacuate the room. Open a window and leave the room for fifteen minutes or more. Shut off the central heating and air conditioning system. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid.’ Obviously that’s readily available. I continue, ‘Use sticky tape such as duct tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar. Do not use a vacuum or a broom.’”
He continues, “If you break one of these light bulbs in a high-rise where the windows don’t open, will the EPA police haul us off to jail because of improper disposal procedures? If we dropped one of these light bulbs we would have to evacuate the House of Representatives according to the EPA light bulb law.”
The warnings on these light bulbs say that they may cause interference to radios, televisions, wireless telephones, and remote controls. They are also ONLY made in China. So, not only are they only made in China but they contain mercury. Let’s see……another product that we don’t produce that we will rely on….and they contain mercury….which is obviously not good for the environment….but is still legal to stick in teeth. I am not aware of any warnings on the packaging of amalgam (silver) filling material and this contains 50% mercury. I will discuss more about that next week.
Thank God for politicians.
