Mercury Amalgam Tooth Fillings: FDA Changes Stance

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to have changed their stance on dental amalgam fillings. In a legal settlement signed this year, the FDA has changed the information on its Web site about amalgam fillings to say that they “may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus” and that pregnant women “should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner.” Till now they were not so harsh on the neurotoxic effects of mercury fillings. FDA’s rule making body will examine evidence concerning whether release of mercury vapor can cause health problems, including neurological disorders, in children and fetuses. The FDA also agreed to decide by next year whether mercury fillings need more regulation.

Dental amalgams contain mercury, when amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing. There have been routine warnings about not using the amalgam in patients known to be allergic to the amalgam. This is because of the  relatively high percentage of mercury it contains (almost as much as in a mercury thermometer). Mercury is a known neurotoxin which may have harmful effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. The manufacturers say it should not be used in children age 6 and under, or in pregnant women.

Anti-mercury activists have for long been engaged in pushing the industry to develop substitutes like composites or resins and several other types of dental fillings, that are now available in the market. They've also been persuading people to have their fillings ripped out  and replaced by substitutes. But they've been lacking support from official government agencies.  The FDA's new approach is just what they wanted for it is sure to give strength to their battle against mercury tooth fillings.

Detailed information on the topic is available at FDA's official website.