$Unique_ID{BRK00359} $Pretitle{} $Title{Concern About Mercury in Teeth Fillings} $Subject{teeth fillings filling mercury Digestive dental amalgam replaced replace replacement silver American Dental Association National Institute Research Public Health Service Consumers Union sensitive restorations remove removal restoration removed} $Volume{I-11} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Concern About Mercury in Teeth Fillings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I have been reading some disturbing information about teeth fillings that may be poisonous, and would like your opinion. If mercury can be poison to the body and is used to fill teeth, doesn't that mean you could be poisoned and should have all those fillings removed? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: A great deal of time and effort has be spent to examine just this question, whether or not mercury as used in fillings (called a dental amalgam) should be a concern for patients, and, more specifically, if such fillings should be replaced by other materials such as silver. I, too, have read articles which discussed this situation, and apparently, so have the members of the dental profession, as well as other interested groups. Using the research that is now available, The American Dental Association, The National Institute of Dental Research, the Public Health Service and Consumers' Union found that "except in individuals sensitive to mercury, there is no reason why a patient should seek to have amalgam restorations removed." As if this was not clear enough, the House of Delegates of the American Dental Association in 1986 also stated "Advocating the removal of clinically serviceable dental amalgam restorations solely to substitute a material that does not contain mercury is unwarranted." That would seem to translate to "If it isn't broken don't fix it," even if it contains mercury. So according to those who should know what they are talking about, it would seem that having a few fillings in your teeth that contain mercury poses no special risks for the patient. For the future, new methods of filling teeth and new formulas for amalgams probably have completely eliminated the possibilities of problems. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.