Far down the list of mercury-exposure sources, in second place, is fish that are receiving far more press than are
dental amalgams. The media are sending the message to limit consumption of certain fish, but are not warning people to have removed the primary source of exposure--amalgam fillings.
So what is the evidence that
dental amalgam is a durable and effective restorative material to use in the primary dentition?
The American Dental Association claims that there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the case against mercury amalgams and maintains the position that "
dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness." (132) However, dentists, the ADA, and amalgams manufacturers should be aware that lawyers are preparing the case against mercury amalgams.
Chairman Burton became convinced of the need to specifically investigate
dental amalgam mercury after representatives of the IAOMT presented him with documentation of the transfer of
dental amalgam mercury into the body tissues of unborn babies and from the milk of nursing females into the newborn.
'They noted that
dental amalgam fillings had been in use for 150 years and concluded that their use was free from risk of systematic toxicity and that only a very few cases of hypersensitivity occurred.
Certainly not, evidence of our negligence is use of mercury in
dental amalgams. With growing dental problems where the world is shifting its preferences, considerable numbers of dentists are still using mercury
dental amalgams.
Dental amalgam fillings formed 126/865 (15%) of the total fillings.
Dr Mahmood A Khwaja, Senior Advisor, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) explained about the proposal on the restriction of mercury use in
dental amalgam for pregnant women and children under 12.
He added and giving suggestion that the use of
dental amalgam for dental health be banned for children under the age of twelve years and pregnant woman, adding that to protect dental professional students and patients from mercury exposure there is a dire need for an immediate review and revision of current curriculum offered for BDS at dental teaching institutions in the country.
- Provisions that aim to ban the use of mercury in vaccines (in the form of a preservative) and to reduce the use of
dental amalgam fillings (a mixture of mercury and silver).
Its use in
dental amalgam is an area of concern because dental practitioners are at risk of continuous exposure to mercury vapor.
Published evidence suggests a possible association between mercury released from mercury-containing
dental amalgam fillings and levels of this metal in diverse fetal tissues (kidney, brain, and cord blood) (Drasch et al.