New FDA recommendations regarding the use of dental amalgam

The FDA has reached a consensus that, when possible, it is safer to use non-mercury restorations for specific groups of people who are at higher risk for adverse reactions to mercury exposure. At this time, the list of at-risk patients the FDA has identified includes:

Women who are pregnant

Women who plan to become pregnant

Women who are nursing

Children under the age of 6

People with a known mercury allergy

People with kidney problems

People with neurological diseases

The above groups of people have been identified as being more likely to face negative health problems after exposure to mercury. Consequently, the FDA has officially recommended that those who fall into the above categories should not receive dental amalgam fillings and should instead receive alternative restorations whenever possible.

In addition, the FDA has confirmed what we and other dentists have been saying for years with the following statement in their report:

“Elemental mercury used in dental amalgam is known to cause adverse health effects, particularly when the extent of exposure is high, in individuals who have reduced ability to remove mercury from their bodies, and in individuals who are sensitive to mercury.”

Furthermore, the FDA also acknowledges the many uncertainties regarding mercury exposure from dental amalgam and what levels of exposure are truly “safe” when considering all factors. The many benefits of alternatives such as composite resin have also been noted, with the FDA recommending that at-risk patients and those who are uncomfortable with mercury exposure from amalgam fillings should consider these alternatives.

For more informations Read Article