FDA Classifies Dental Amalgam Fillings as Class II (Moderate Risk)

Today (Tuesday, July 28th, 2009) the FDA “issued a final regulation classifying dental amalgam and its component parts – elemental mercury and a powder alloy—used in dental fillings. While elemental mercury has been associated with adverse health effects at high exposures, the levels released by dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm in patients. The regulation classifies dental amalgam into Class II (moderate risk).” (http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm173992.htm)

Moments later, the ADA issued a press release stating it agrees with the FDA’s decision.

So what does this mean for you? It means that dental amalgam fillings (often referred to as mercury fillings or silver fillings) will still be used in most dental offices despite the potential long term health risks to patients and workers alike.

“But if there are potential long term health risks, why didn’t the FDA ban the fillings?”

Dental Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings are FDA Class II

Good question. In fact, the FDA acknowledged the risks associated with mercury fillings when they issued their decision. However, they decided that the risk didn’t outweigh the difficulties of banning the fillings.

“Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury. It releases low levels of mercury vapor that can be inhaled.” (http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm)

The FDA admits that dental amalgam fillings release low levels of mercury vapors. Because Mercury is a heavy metal, low levels of mercury vapors have been proven to accumulate in the body. Over time, that low level surpasses the “safe” amount of mercury specified by the FDA and can cause long term chronic health and neurological problems.

The bottom line? Politics have once again stood in the way of science and have put the public at risk for health problems.

The good news? You still have a choice. It’s actually quite similar to bans on smoking in public places: in states that still allowing smoking in restaurants, you have the choice to eat at another restaurant to avoid the health issues associated with second hand smoke. In the case of dental amalgam fillings (and the mercury vapor present in dental offices that place the fillings), you can choose to visit a dentist that doesn’t work with mercury.

While the classification by the FDA is a defeat in the fight against mercury, you still have options. And by choosing a mercury-free dentist, you are making the biggest stand of all.

Dr. Marvin

PS: If you’d like to read the entire classification of Dental Amalgam by the FDA, click here: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/UCM174024.pdf.

PPS: The FDA did today reclassify the mercury component of dental amalgam fillings from Class I (low risk) to Class II (moderate risk).

Dangers in Dentistry: Episode 1

This is the pilot episode of our new radio show that’s airing weekly on KPRZ in San Diego.

This 30-minute episode explains the dangers of amalgam fillings, the dangers of mercury vapors in dental offices (even if you don’t have silver fillings!), and what you can do to protect yourself.

Enjoy!
Dr. Marvin
San Diego, Encinitas Holistic Dentist

Mercury Free Dentistry

The Dangers of Mercury (Amalgam) Fillings and What it Means to You.

For decades dentists have been placing “silver” fillings to repair cavities and halt tooth decay. Despite the common “silver” moniker, these fillings contain very little silver at all. Instead, they are a mixture of metals that create an amalgam. One of those metals is arguably the most toxic metal on Earth: Mercury.

Every day around the world dentists continue to place fillings that contain mercury despite the proven links between mercury and dementia, birth defects, Alzheimer’s, and more.

So why, if these fillings are so toxic, are they still placed in patient’s every day? The answer is simple: economics.

There are 4 major reasons why a dentist still uses mercury fillings.

1. Mercury fillings are easy to do for a dentist. It is not as technique sensitive than say a composite or plastic filling.
2. Mercury fillings are covered by most insurances.
3. Customers or patients will pay for these fillings because they are cheaper.
4. Mercury fillings last a long time without any physical symptoms.

None of the reasons should trump your long-term health and the long term health of other patients that visit the dentist (mercury vapors can remain in the air up to 30 minutes after a filling is placed, so if you visit the dentist after someone had a filling placed, you could be inhaling toxic mercury vapors).

That’s why we never place amalgam fillings at The Center for Natural Dentistry in San Diego. In fact, we’ve gone above and beyond “not placing” these fillings — we have developed one of the most comprehensive amalgam removal programs in the nation. We employ safety techniques used in fewer than 1% of dental offices in America, ensuring that the removal of your amalgam “silver” fillings are removed safely every time.

To learn more about the dangers of amalgam fillings and mercury toxicity, please take a look at our resource center by clicking one of the following links:

Mercury Toxicity and the Dangers of Amalgam Fillings

Mercury Vapors and The Smoking Tooth Video

Safe Mercury Removal: Protecting Yourself and Your Future

Are Your Teeth Poisoning You?!

Alzheimer’s? Dementia? Birth Defects? Cancer?

Find out why the government has been keeping the dangers of your fillings a secret… and what you can do to protect your long-term health!

Contact us today to request your copy!

Mercury Fillings Are Poison: The Beautiful Truth

Wondering if Silver Mercury fillings are dangerous?

For years dentists have been placing these toxic mercury fillings without knowing the true consequences.

In this video, you’ll visually observe the mercury vapors coming from a tooth.

And every time you drink or eat something warm/hot, more mercury vapor is released.

Check it out.

Toxic Mercury Vapors Affect Us Too

Mercury vapors are constantly being released in a person’s mouth.  And it is most hazardous when these toxic fillings are placed or when they are removed (aka new fillings placed).

But for us to educate someone on the consequence of mercury toxicity without first taking precautions on our end (the dental staff and dentists doing the procedures) seems hypocritical.  That’s why I recommend all dental offices use a special mask designed to filter mercury vapors from the air.

Here’s a link for one such mask.

Don’t be alarmed when you see one of us with those on.

Studies have show that dental personnel have higher than normal levels of mercury in their systems.

Hopefully one of these days, we won’t be doing many mercury filling removals.  That day however is not in the near future.

Here’s a picture of “taking mercury seriously.”