Science or Common Sense?

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.