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Jun 25, 2017 News
By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Amalgam is a generic term for something that is mixed together. When the term is used in metallurgy it means: “an alloy made with Mercury.” Amalgam restorative materials have been used in dentistry for over 160 years. Dental amalgam is created by mixing elemental mercury and an alloy powder composed mainly of silver, tin, and copper.
The main advantages of amalgam as a dental restorative material include:
The disadvantages of amalgam as a restorative material are as follows:
A diversity of opinions exists regarding the safety of dental amalgams. The controversy over its use as a filling material has received much attention in the news. The topic is raised at regular intervals and as a patient you should be aware of the latest scientific literature so that you can have a better discussion with your dentist for you to make an informed decision.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, the amount of mercury that is included in dental amalgams today is a very small amount. This amount is bound to the other metals in the material, which reduces the amount that is absorbed by the body, so making dental amalgams used in dental offices today relatively safe for patients.
The American Dental Association (ADA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
The Alzheimer’s Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Society of America and National Multiple Sclerosis Society—all science-based organizations like the ADA—also say that amalgam poses no health risk.
The Mayo Clinic has stated that dental amalgam is a safe and durable choice for dental fillings. They also note that “there are several kinds of mercury. The mercury (methyl-mercury) found in water that can build up in fish and lead to health problems if you ingest too much is not the same type of mercury used in amalgam.
Mercury is ever present in our environment and we are exposed to it via air, water and food. Exposure to mercury by persons with amalgam restoration occurs during the placement or removal of dental restorations. Once the reaction is complete, less amount of mercury is released, and that is far below the current health standard.
The exposure to mercury from restoration depends on the number and size of the restoration, composition, chewing habits, food texture, grinding, brushing of teeth, and many other physiological factors. As a vapour, metallic mercury could be inhaled and absorbed through the alveoli in the lungs at 80% efficiency.
It is the main route of entry of mercury into the human body, whereas the absorption of metallic mercury through skin or via the gastrointestinal tract is very poor.
The current use of amalgam has not posed a health risk and there have not been any clinical justifications available for the removing of restorations except in patients with allergies. Amalgam is a safe and effective restorative material and the replacement of existing restorations, for esthetic reasons, with a non-amalgam material should be strongly reconsidered.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].
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