Mercury Teeth Fillings May Harm Some: U.S. FDA

[RobinN]

Mercury Teeth Fillings May Harm Some: U.S. FDA
By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) Jun 05 - Silver-colored metal dental fillings
contain mercury that may cause health problems in pregnant women,
children and fetuses, the Food and Drug Administration said on
Wednesday after settling a related lawsuit.

As part of the settlement with several consumer advocacy groups, the
FDA agreed to alert consumers about the potential risks on its
website and to issue a more specific rule next year for fillings that
contain mercury, FDA spokeswoman Peper Long said.

Millions of Americans have the fillings, or amalgams, to patch
cavities in their teeth.

"Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects
on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses," the FDA
said in a notice on its Web site.

"Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that
makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals
with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid
seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health
practitioner," the agency said.

The FDA said it did not recommend that people who currently have
mercury fillings get them removed.

The FDA must issue the new rules in July 2009, Long said.

Such a rule could impact makers of metal fillings, which include
Dentsply International Inc and Danaher Corp unit Kerr.

The new rule will give the agency "special controls (that) can
provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the
product," Long said.

The lawsuit settlement was reached on Monday with several advocacy
groups, including Moms Against Mercury, which had sought to have
mercury fillings removed from the U.S. market.

While the FDA previously said various studies showed no harm from
mercury fillings, some consumer groups contend the fillings can
trigger a range of health problems such as multiple sclerosis and
Alzheimer's disease. In 2006, an FDA advisory panel of outside
experts said most people would not be harmed by them, but said the
agency needed more information.

Mercury has been linked to brain and kidney damage at certain levels.
Amalgams contain half mercury and half a combination of other metals.

Charles Brown, a lawyer for one of the groups called Consumers for
Dental Choice, said the agency's move represented an about-
face. "Gone, gone, gone are all of FDA's claims that no science
exists that amalgam is unsafe," he said in a statement.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. analyst Ipsita Smolinski said the FDA is
not likely to outright ban the fillings next year but will probably
call for restrictions.

"We do believe that the agency will ask for the label to indicate
that mercury is an ingredient in the filling, and that special
populations should be exempt from such fillings, such as: nursing
women, pregnant women, young children, and immunocompromised
individuals," Smolinski wrote in a research note on Wednesday.

Fewer patients have been opting for mercury fillings in recent years,
instead choosing lighter options such as tooth-colored resin
composites.

Only 30 percent of fillings given to patients were mercury-filled
ones as of 2003, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
Other options include glass cement and porcelain as well as other
metals such as gold, but they cost more and are less durable, the
group has said.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...8630&src=nldne

[Bernard]

Oops.

[RobinN]

Yup... great to know now.
Of course, when given the choice at the dentist's office, insurance won't cover composite fillings. At least they did not before...

[LynnW]

I've just been to the dentist, and I have to have a cavity filled. He also wants to replace an old filling. I think I'll ask for the composite filling.

Question: do all silver fillings contain mercury? Are there any special dangers when removing old fillings?

[haird18]

RobinN
My mother had mercury poisoning that almost killed her! A couple of years ago my mother went in for blood work. The doctor told her she was toxic with mercury and she almost died from it.So over ayear they removed her mercury. Then she found out she had fibromyalgia.So she started onvitamins , minerals, and aerobics and now she's doing alot better.

David Hair

[RobinN]

Question: do all silver fillings contain mercury? Are there any special dangers when removing old fillings?

Yes this should be done by a qualified mercury free dentist. Referrals can be had from:
DAMS
PO Box 64397
Virginia Beach, VA 23467
(800) 311-6265
NatlDAMS@aol.com

I have a book on the subject, because for some reason my daughter is holding onto mercury. This book says, "Unfortunately mercury toxicity is such a hot political issue in the dental profession that most state licensing boards will revoke the license of a dentist who advertises too openly that s/he is "mercury free". So you have to ask around."

Questions to ask:

Is the practice mercury free? If not, does he only place amalgams if a patient really, really, really, really insists so that the doesn't get in trouble with the state licensing board? Does he have experience removing people's amalgam fillings? Does he have lots of experience placing composite fillings? Experience with composites is very important as these are much harder to place properly than amalgams. Does he guarantee the work once you pay for it? Will they fix it for free if there is a problem? Do you know any satisfied customers? Does he take precautions to keep you from inhaling dusst and vapors, swallowing amalgam chips during removal, or generally being exposed to mercury? You can find out if he really believes mercury is a toxic hazard by finding out: how does he protect himself while he is working on you?

When having dental work done, remember that there are risks and even the best dentist isn't perfect. Not all dentists are the best, either. Having a lot of fillings replaced when you are not in the best of health can result in one or more toot roots becoming infected, which is exceptionally painful and requires a root canal or having the tooth pulled. If this kind of thing happens you are in for at least several days of really intense pain plus quite a bit of additional expense. Consider these risks and make sure you select a dentist who has a lot of experience with the materials that will be used, has found them satisfactory in many prior patients, and will be there and take care of you if there are problems.

Amalgam Illness diagnosis and treatment
What you can do to get better
How your doctor can help
by Andrew Hall Cutler PhD PE

[RobinN]

RobinN
My mother had mercury poisoning that almost killed her! A couple of years ago my mother went in for blood work. The doctor told her she was toxic with mercury and she almost died from it.So over ayear they removed her mercury. Then she found out she had fibromyalgia.So she started onvitamins , minerals, and aerobics and now she's doing alot better.

David Hair

David - how did they chelate her?
Did she have this problem when pregnant? This can be passed to the fetus.

[hawke86]

Interesting topic. Robin Very interesting.

[LynnW]

Robin, thanks for the info.