Dental Amalgam Controversy

THE USE OF DENTAL AMALGAM HAS BECOME CONTROVERSIAL IN DENTISTRY

Most people know that, but they remain unaware of the most important details.

The controversy revolves around mercury, and rightly so, as mercury is a major component of dental amalgam.
Many years ago, I discontinued using dental amalgam in my practice of dentistry. We use porcelain or gold inlay restorations, which have always been better and more long lasting.

Early in my practice, my concerns about dental amalgam were raised after observing that the material is only semi-permanent.

It is clear that even excellently placed dental amalgam restorations (fillings) begin to show signs of failure after as little as 5-8 years. Most dental amalgam restorations definitely need to be replaced after 10-15 years due to material failure.

This means that even after the best efforts of the dental doctor to place an excellent dental amalgam restoration, and after the best efforts of the patient to keep it clean, the restoration will fail simply because of the inherent problems of the material.

Now, why would any dental doctor want to provide a dental restoration that has “built in” material failure happening in as little as 5-8 years?
Other factors became clear as I observed dental amalgam restorations through the years.

The material, in my opinion, desiccates (dries out) teeth making them more brittle and prone to cracks and fractures. Several times every month, I see patients who suffer from broken teeth that have dental amalgam restorations.

But the most important concern with dental amalgam is the mercury. More and more evidence is mounting to support the idea that mercury is being released into our bodies from the dental amalgam restorations in our teeth. And as we all know, mercury is toxic to our bodies.
Because of the controversy over dental amalgam, and because more and more dental doctors are becoming aware of the hazards, dental amalgam is declining in its use as a dental restorative material. In fact, it is my opinion that in the next decade, we will see dental amalgam either banned from use in the United States, or abandoned altogether by the majority of dentists in this country.

What is Dental Amalgam?

Here’s a quote from the Academy of General Dentistry: “Most people recognize dental amalgams as “silver fillings”. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. Mercury makes up about 45-50 percent of the compound. Mercury is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard durable filling. After years of research, mercury has been found to be the only element that will bind these metals together in such a way that can be easily manipulated into a tooth cavity.”

The Dentsply/Caulk Company is the manufacturer of one of the most widely used types of dental amalgam. Here is their formula:

Supporters of Amalgam

The American Dental Association (ADA) continues to support the use of dental amalgam to restore teeth, and maintains that the material is safe, durable and affordable.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) also continues to support the use of dental amalgam.

Most general dentists across the country and in this community continue to use dental amalgam, believing it to be a safe, durable, quick and inexpensive material for restoring teeth.

Opponents of Amalgam

In opposition to the ADA and AGD views, many organizations and individuals have been increasingly vocal in their appeals for the material to be banned.

Here are a few of the many internet links to opposition groups and information:

• Article on Amalgam from the Chicago Tribune - www.doctorerickson.com/library%20amalgam%20article.html
• The Dental Amalgam Issue - www.amalgam.org/#anchor630895
• Consumers for Dental Choice - www.swankin-turner.com/projects.html
• www.Toxicteeth.net
• www.mercuryfreenow.com

Removing Dental Amalgam Safely from your Teeth

More and more, I am receiving requests from my patients to remove the amalgam from their teeth and replace it with better restorative materials.

Porcelain (tooth colored) or gold restorations have always been better materials to use for restoring teeth. Though initially labor intensive and more expensive, these mercury-free materials are reasonable when averaged over the years, due to material longevity, eliminated health risks and enhanced dental health for the patient.

Already, it is my routine practice to remove all dental amalgam from a tooth which is being prepared for a crown or other new dental restoration.

There is an established standardized protocol that must be used for the safe removal of dental amalgam from the teeth. This protocol involves methods that protect the patient and the doctor from excessive mercury exposure during the removal process. Be careful here, as not all dental offices are aware of this protocol, and may even tell you that it is unnecessary.

Experience is essential. Choose a dental doctor who is knowledgeable about current advanced restorative dentistry for adult patients, and who can provide high quality dentistry intended to last a lifetime.

Dr. Erickson is available to answer your questions about dentistry and dental amalgam. He can be contacted at his office by phone or email Monday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:30PM.

Russell Erickson DDS
503.353.1471
Toll Free 866.353.1471 (if calling from outside our local calling area)
Email: doctor@doctorerickson.com
Office Website: www.doctorerickson.com
Address: 13530 SE 97th Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon 97015