The Mercury Controversy

Most people are aware that metal dental fillings contain mercury. Themercury in fillings is an amalgam, or blend, of silver, copper and mercury thathas been in use for over 150 years. A debate, known as the Mercury Controversy,has raged in the dental community and beyond regarding the safety of thismercury content. Canada, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Germany have alreadybanned or advised against the use of metal fillings, particularly in childrenand pregnant women.

Health Issues Associated with Metal Fillings

Many patients with metal fillings complain that avariety of health problems plague them"”and they attribute their health concernsto the mercury found in their metal fillings. Health complaints include:

·        Chronic illnesses

·        Autoimmune disorders

·        Degenerative brain and nervous system diseases

·        Birth defects

·        Mouth lesions

·        Mental disorders

Research Supports Claims of Metal Fillings' Impact on Health

Support for claims that mercury can impact overall health comes from avariety of sources, including:

·        The Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) - the FDA statedon its website in June 2008: "Dental amalgams contain mercury,which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing childrenand fetuses."

·        The World Health Organization (WHO)notes that mercury exposure can increase during tooth grinding, brushing teethor chewing gum, and quotes a report stating that these activities cause a 5.3fold increase in mercury.

·        A Swedish autopsy-based study measured mercurylevels in brains and kidneys and found that more metal fillings meant a greatermercury content.

·        A German study found that mercury urinary excretion wassignificantly higher in those with mercury amalgam fillings.

·        A Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine study showed thatremoval of mercury amalgam fillings from 118 subjects eliminated or reduced 80percent of mercury poisoning symptoms.

·        Research on monkeys demonstratedthat mercury from dental restorations builds up in the brain, kidney, lung andliver.

Metal Fillings can cause Discomfort and Potentially Harm Teeth

Not only do metal fillings present apparent health risks, they can alsobe harmful to teeth and lead to dental discomfort. Metal contracts and expandswith contact to extremes of heat and cold. Repetitive expansion and contractioncan ultimately lead to tooth breakage. The expansion and contraction processcan also cause teeth to become more sensitive to hot and cold foods andbeverages.

Options for Dental Patients

Patients do have a choice. Porcelain/composite fillings do not includemercury and provide a much more pleasing aesthetic outcome. They also do notexpand and contract with heat and cold, so teeth are less likely to crack whenthese substances are used. Increased tooth sensitivity, too, is not an issuewith porcelain/composite.