The FDA settled a lawsuit yesterday and agreed to complete a regulatory review on the dangers of Mercury amalgam dental fillings. The FDA also updated some of the safety concerns on its website to say:
Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing. FDA’s rulemaking (described in question 7) will examine evidence concerning whether release of mercury vapor can cause health problems, including neurological disorders, in children and fetuses.
The American Dental Associated is not too happy about the decision. They have reviewed 34 studies and found no evidence that the fillings release mercury vapor when chewing. In addition, they say that the fillings pose no more risk than the mercury found in fish and other food. The FDA wants more short-term data exposure from certain patient groups before it makes a final decision.
Dentists favor these types of fillings for their durability and cost-effectiveness.
Read more here…
