Are *Silver* dental fillings safe?

JDrew63929

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Jul 12, 2001, 6:27:24 PM7/12/01

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Are ‘silver’ dental fillings safe?

Your Environment drills into the controversy

By Francesca Lyman
SPECIAL TO MSNBC

July 11 — Anyone who has ever had a tooth cavity has probably seen a dentist
who drilled it and packed it with a “silver” filling. But how many patients
know what’s in that silver? And whether it could have consequences for your
health?

]
PAINED FOR years by fatigue, aches, severe allergies and other chronic
ills, Lydia Bronte never suspected that the cause of her problems might be
something in her teeth.
It wasn’t until she sought the help of holistic physician Dr. Warren
Levin that she got relief. Levin diagnosed Bronte with mercury poisoning and
pointed to her dental amalgams as a probable source.
After realizing she had 17 dental amalgams in her mouth, Bronte was doubly
shocked to discover that these “silver” fillings were not made chiefly of
silver but of an alloy whose principal ingredient is mercury, a metal that can
cause neurological damage at high levels.
“I was very conservative at the time and found this diagnosis hard to
believe,” she says. “Nevertheless, based on the high mercury reading in
[urine and blood] tests, I decided to have the amalgams out.”
This, and further treatments to remove the metal from her body, she
says, made a big difference. Today, though not feeling 100 percent, she says
her condition has vastly improved.
Could silver dental fillings be causing, or contributing to, health
problems? Holistic health advocates, environmentalists and a growing cadre of
“mercury-free” dentists fear amalgams emit dangerous levels of mercury,
stirring up a health controversy that goes back 150 years.
Scientists agree that when absorbed in high enough doses, mercury, in
all its chemical forms, can damage the brain, nervous system, kidneys and other
organs, especially in infants and children. But they differ on not only how
much mercury must be absorbed to cause adverse health effects, but also just
how much of the amalgam’s mercury is absorbed by the human body to begin
with.
Dental associations pooh-pooh alleged dangers. The ADA considers it “a
safe, affordable and durable material” that has been used for “more than
150 years and during that time has established an extensively reviewed record
of safety and effectiveness.”
ADA quotes the U.S. Public Health Service’s 1993 report stating that
amalgam has no health consequences other than for a small percentage of people
who might be allergic to the metals.
Others, however, like Boyd Haley, a chemist at the University of
Kentucky, argue that it is harmful to more than just sensitive populations.
Most people with amalgam fillings get an unsafe dose of the heavy metal because
mercury vapor leaks continually from the fillings, says Haley, who recently
testified before Congress on mercury exposure in children.
Consumer groups argue, meanwhile, that dental patients ought to be told
about what’s going into their mouths.

<snip, read for yourself>

Printable version

In June, a coalition of citizens’ health and environmental groups filed
suit against the American Dental Association for allegedly deceiving consumers
into thinking amalgam fillings are made of silver, when in fact the major
component (about 50 percent, according to the suit) is mercury. They also claim
that the ADA has failed to disclose information regarding the significant risk
of harm associated with the fillings in order to promote the continued use of
amalgams, a product in which it has a financial stake as a paid endorser.
“If mercury is so safe, why do they try to hide it?” says Charlie
Brown, one of the lawyers representing Consumers for Dental Choice (CDC), a
plaintiff in the suit. Brown notes that CDC has already succeeded in winning a
state ruling that requires the California state dental board to advise
participating dentists to tell their patients about the mercury content of
amalgam fillings as well as discuss with them any sensitivities and the
potential for adverse reactions, including suspected links to birth defects.
Although mercury has been known to be poisonous since ancient times,
dentistry associations claim that the mercury is tightly bound with other
metals, rendering it safe. Silver fillings usually contain a mix of silver, tin
and copper as well as zinc and other metals, according to the Journal of the
American Dental Association.
Mercury is essential to make the amalgam harden and adhere, says ADA
spokesman J. Rodney Mackert, professor of dentistry at the Medical College of
Georgia and an expert in materials science.

TRACKING MERCURY’S VAPORS
It wasn’t commonly known that amalgam released mercury vapor until
recently, although the issue was raised more than a century ago. In 1985, Fritz
Lorscheider, a fetal physiologist, and Canadian dentist Murray Vimy showed that
mercury in amalgam continuously vaporizes; measuring mercury in the mouths of
46 people, they also found that the amount of vapor released from fillings rose
when the subjects chewed gum or brushed their teeth. In 1990, the same
scientists reported that studies on sheep using radioactively tagged mercury
revealed that the highly volatile and unpredictable element travels to the
gastrointestinal tract, kidney, liver and brain.
“Whether those [latter] studies are applicable to humans is a matter
of serious importance to public health,” says Dr. Norman Braveman, a research
administrator at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(NIDCR), which has two studies underway on the subject. At issue, he says, is
what dose of mercury a typical patient gets in the dentist’s office, how much
he is exposed to daily and potential health effects that might arise from this
dose. And there isn’t much agreement on any of those questions.
“There’s no question that mercury is not healthy for us,” says
Vasken Aposhian, a professor of cellular and molecular biology at the
University of Arizona who has studied how mercury acts on the body. How many
amalgams you have makes a big difference in terms of how much mercury your
body’s absorbing, he maintains.
“Some people are hyper-sensitive to metals and can get very sick”
from amounts that others can safely handle, he says. “Most are at risk from
multiple exposures from fish, food and other sources.”
At a Congressional hearing on the use of mercury in medicine last year,
Aposhian told legislators that Americans’ greatest exposure to mercury is
from fillings - a serious threat, he says, because it can cross the placenta
and harm the developing nervous system of the fetus.

ADA, however, maintains that the amount of mercury that vaporizes from
the amalgam is trivial, and less significant than exposures in food, water and
air. “Yes,” acknowledges ADA’s Mackert, “mercury is a poison,” and
amalgams vaporize, “something only recently discovered.” But, he argues,
“there is no convincing evidence that the small amount of mercury vapor from
amalgams has any effect on humans.”
Further, says Mackert, repeating the mantra of the ADA, “there have
been no studies conclusively linking mercury from dental amalgams with any
diseases.”
But concerns about possible effects “can’t be dismissed,” as the
U.S. Public Health Service noted. Studies show that people with more dental
amalgam fillings have higher levels of mercury in their bodies. And researchers
at the University of Calgary School of Medicine showed that mercury could be
found in the blood and tissues of pregnant mothers and their fetuses within a
few days after mercury fillings were placed.
Mercury in dental fillings has been linked to other adverse health
effects. Anne Summers, a microbiologist at the University of Georgia, for
example, found that mercury from fillings can inhibit the effectiveness of
antibiotics. Scientists at the Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and
Evaluation in Seattle linked exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgam
fillings to central nervous system toxicity among dental personnel.
The Battelle team also found “convincing new evidence of adverse
behavioral effects associated with mercury exposures from amalgam fillings
within the range of that received by the general population.” And researchers
at the Colorado State University, Department of Physiology, in Fort Collins,
Colo. have linked dental amalgam exposure to mental illness.
Haley and other scientists, including Vimy and Lorscheider, found in
experiments on rat brains that chronic inhalation of low-level mercury — at
levels that simulate exposure to amalagam fillings — can inhibit brain
chemistry, producing lesions similar to those in Alzheimer’s diseased brains.
Mercury inhibits the efficiency of tubulin, a protein vital to brain cells,
they explain.

‘SAFE’ FOR HUMAN USE
Despite such studies, though, the National Institutes of Health, the
U.S. Public Health Service, and the World Health Organization have all
concluded that amalgams are safe enough to use. There is “no solid evidence
of any harm for millions of Americans who have these fillings,” wrote the
U.S. Public Health Service, and “no persuasive reason to believe that
avoiding amalgams or having them removed will have a beneficial impact on
health.”
By contrast, Canada recently restricted the number of amalgams that
could be placed in children and pregnant women, following similar laws passed
in Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries. But having produced
its new guidelines, the U.K. government then qualified that it had no evidence
that there was a risk from amalgam, complicating the issue even further.
While the battle for reliable science rages, many dentists are switching
away from mercury. A 1995 survey of dentists found 8.7 percent wanting to ban
amalgam and 12.3 percent uncertain about its safety, according to a report
published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Dr. Anthony McLaughlin, a Redmond, Wash., dentist says he isn’t
necessarily in the anti-mercury camp but has eliminated amalgams from his
practice for his own safety and that of his staff; he also removed all the
mercury from his own teeth, and that of his wife and his staff.

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Remembering how he had to dispose of his scrap amalgam as hazardous
waste, he says, “It’s OK to place these in people’s mouths yet it’s
considered hazardous when you take it out. Go figure that one out.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Given amalgam’s long track record, however, the government is hesitant
to ban it without greater evidence of harm to human health.
“If we ban this material,” NIDCR’s Braveman, “what are our
alternatives, and will they do the job as well?”
For now, he says, two government-funded studies are tracking 1,000
children — half with mercury amalgams, half with alternative materials —
for such traits as behavior, intelligence, antibiotic resistance, immune
function and memory. The results, he says, will be available in about four
years.
In the meantime, if you’re concerned that you have a great many
mercury fillings, Bronte suggests checking yourself for symptoms of mercury
toxicity and having your fillings replaced with non-toxic materials.
“If your regular dentist really isn’t familiar with these materials,
you are better off finding a dentist who is familiar with them,” advises
Bronte, who went on to write “The Mercury in Your Mouth” after her health
improved.
As more patients find out what’s in mercury fillings, adds advocate
Brown, “more dentists will make it their business to know about the
alternatives.”
Write a letter to the Editor

I DID!

Jan

bill

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Jul 12, 2001, 9:32:08 PM7/12/01

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JDrew63929 <jdrew...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010712182724...@ng-cq1.aol.com...
> http://www.msnbc.com/news/599087.asp#BODY

> [snip]

> For now, he says, two government-funded studies are tracking 1,000

> children - half with mercury amalgams, half with alternative materials -

> for such traits as behavior, intelligence, antibiotic resistance, immune
> function and memory. The results, he says, will be available in about four
> years.

What a crock ! You mean all these years everyone's been
screaming that they're safe, and this type of study hasn't
been done ? (I guess I was naive in thinking they at least
did this type of simple study)

What a joke ! The dentists lose more credibility each time
something like this comes up.

Bill

bill

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Jul 12, 2001, 9:32:53 PM7/12/01

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JDrew63929 <jdrew...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010712182724...@ng-cq1.aol.com...
> http://www.msnbc.com/news/599087.asp#BODY

Looks like this could be on the Today show a little
quicker than I thought ! Check your local listings.

Bill

Steven Bornfeld

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Jul 12, 2001, 9:35:11 PM7/12/01

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Bill--

Just what is it you're aiming for? Banning amalgam? Hurting dentists?
Advancing "alternative therapies"? Just venting bile?
I understand Jan. For the life of me, I don't know what you're up to. I am
curious, though.

Steve

bill

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Jul 12, 2001, 9:49:45 PM7/12/01

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Steven Bornfeld <mari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3B4E504E...@hotmail.com...

> Just what is it you're aiming for? Banning amalgam?

Not necessarily. If we could measure people's
susceptibility, that would be ideal. Then,
for the lower income brackets, the benefits
MAY outweigh the risks.

> Hurting dentists?

I don't know. Part of me wants that, but then I say:
my energy is best devoted to healing myself and
helping the portion of people who might be getting
damaged by amalgams.

> Advancing "alternative therapies"?

Where appropriate, yes.

> Just venting bile?

To a certain extent, yes. Please put yourself in my shoes.
You don't understand the hell that I have gone through.
Jan has probably been through the same thing.

I was an apathetic person most of my life. Now I understand
what drives activists.

> I understand Jan. For the life of me, I don't know what you're up to.
I am
> curious, though.

Nothing against you. Who knows, I work in computers, and
some day, something I do may be thought of as harmful.

I will at least understand those who think they are being
harmed, because I have been there.

Bill

bill

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Jul 12, 2001, 9:51:31 PM7/12/01

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bill <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:4ss37.440$F6.3...@news.shore.net...

> Steven Bornfeld <mari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3B4E504E...@hotmail.com...
> > Just what is it you're aiming for? Banning amalgam?
>
> Not necessarily. If we could measure people's
> susceptibility, that would be ideal. Then,
> for the lower income brackets, the benefits
> MAY outweigh the risks.

Meaning, it might be better for them to do amalgams
than composites.

Bill

JDrew63929

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Jul 12, 2001, 10:48:04 PM7/12/01

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>From: "bill" nos...@nospam.net
>Date: 7/12/01 8:49 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <4ss37.440$F6.3...@news.shore.net>

AMEN! Being there and doing that and asking God to let you die, does make a BIG
difference!

I hope and PRAY everyday that NO one NO where ever suffer as I did and take
soooooooooooooo long to find the problem.

Jan

JDrew63929

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Jul 12, 2001, 10:51:53 PM7/12/01

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>From: "bill" nos...@nospam.net
>Date: 7/12/01 8:32 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <gcs37.436$F6.3...@news.shore.net>

Yes the news is getting out. In another 50? years everyone will look back and
wonder how ANYONE ever could believe that mercury is dangerous
EVERYWHERE,,,,,,,,,,except in the mouth

I am 62 yeas old, I don't have time to wait!

Thank God and alt. medicine I finally found my problem!

Jan

bill

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Jul 12, 2001, 11:56:57 PM7/12/01

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JDrew63929 <jdrew...@aol.com> wrote in message

news:20010712225153...@ng-cl1.aol.com...

> Yes the news is getting out. In another 50? years everyone will look back
and
> wonder how ANYONE ever could believe that mercury is dangerous
> EVERYWHERE,,,,,,,,,,except in the mouth

Yes ! It will be looked on like lead based paint
in houses. Just like we think: "how could they
do that ?", people in the future will say the same
thing about us. They will view us as primitive,
just like we view society 50 to 100 years ago.

History repeats itself, and always will

Bill

Dr. Steve

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Jul 13, 2001, 8:43:58 AM7/13/01

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perhaps the twins took a home study course on alternative medicine and
"hands-on" healing and are trying to justify their marketing.

--
+=_-+=_-+=_-+=_-+=_-+=_-+=_-+=_-
Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S.
Troy, Michigan USA
drs...@mancusodds.com
sma...@home.msen.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Steven Bornfeld" <mari...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3B4E504E...@hotmail.com...

bill

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Jul 13, 2001, 12:36:03 PM7/13/01

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Dr. Steve <sma...@home.msen.com> wrote in message
news:b2C37.1225$Rp2....@nntp.msen.com...

> perhaps the twins took a home study course on alternative medicine and
> "hands-on" healing and are trying to justify their marketing.

Not selling a thing. Just trying to help people.

Bill

Alex Bach Andersen

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Jul 13, 2001, 2:45:21 PM7/13/01

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In message <Kts37.441$F6.3...@news.shore.net>
date 13 Jul, wrote a daemon named bill:

[snip]

>Meaning, it might be better for them to do amalgams
>than composites.
>

It also means dentists having to go back to school to learn to handle new
materials. Many of the pro-amalgamists in here seem very reluctant at picking
up new ideas and research.

--
Alex Bach Andersen, freelance conductor UIN: 8285066
NodeSats/MusicTypesetting - Acorn RISC PC 600 - StrongARMed
Copenhagen,Denmark http://isa.dknet.dk/~alexbach/
.... Sometimes you just have to say 'What the heck'

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS

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Jul 14, 2001, 1:55:17 PM7/14/01

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Dr. Andersen--

Just what new material(s) are you talking about?

Steve

Alex Bach Andersen wrote:

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
http://www.dentaltwins.com

Alex Bach Andersen

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Jul 15, 2001, 4:32:10 AM7/15/01

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In message <3B508785...@peoplepc.com>
date 14 Jul, wrote a daemon named Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS:

>Dr. Andersen--
>
Please don't Doctor me. I can't take doctor degrees as long as I have traces
of your magnificent filling material in my brain. I simply can't concetrate.

> Just what new material(s) are you talking about?
>

Stuff like the:
http://www.heraeus-kulzer.com/e_tmpl_dental_1.phtml?pid=/en/dental/filling/fuellungsmat/index&sid=9c9847a1c151933c4b0c09d5d4244186
I'm getting for replacement myself.

[snip please learn to quote]

--
Alex Bach Andersen, freelance conductor UIN: 8285066
NodeSats/MusicTypesetting - Acorn RISC PC 600 - StrongARMed
Copenhagen,Denmark http://isa.dknet.dk/~alexbach/

.... Life shouldn't be an endless repetition of stale successes.

Lyn Rennick

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Jul 15, 2001, 7:58:48 AM7/15/01

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jdrew...@aol.com (JDrew63929) wrote in message news:<20010712224804...@ng-cl1.aol.com>...

I am 49 years old, the last five years have been a nightmare and all
due to the Mercury in my Amalgam fillings. I became ill within hours
of having 6 fillings (I already had a number of Amalgam fillings) but
those six fillings seemed to overload my body with the Mercury already
in it. I was paralysed with pain and had numerous other symptoms
suddenly appear - my mouth filling with excess saliva which tasted
"metallic", swollen tongue and gums, swollen joints, red itchy weals
all over my body, ringing in my ears...the list goes on and on...it
took me 18 months to find out what was causing the symptoms although I
had a good idea it was something to do with my teeth, and that was
only because I read an article about someone who had suffered in the
same way. An Allergy Patch Test proved that the Mercury among other
metals in my Amalgam fillings WAS causing me to be ill. My body could
not function properly as it was being poisoned mainly from the Mercury
leaking from my fillings.

There are thousands and thousands of people who are ill because of
Amalgam fillings but I know that it does not affect everyone. Amalgam
should be banned because, even if people do not get any symptoms,
Mercury IS highly toxic, it should never be put into our mouths. If
it means that dentists have to go back to school and relearn their
trade then so be it..we need to be safe when we visit a dentist,
having Mercury put into our mouths is NOT safe. If Amalgam was safe,
why does the N.H.S. warn dentists NOT to fill pregnant women's teeth
or very small children's teeth with it?

I would hate for anyone to go through what I have been though. It
could have been prevented if only Amalgam had been banned.

Lyn (in London)

JDrew63929

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Jul 15, 2001, 1:31:51 PM7/15/01

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>From: lynrenn...@aol.com (Lyn Rennick)
>Date: 7/15/01 6:58 AM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <a708636c.01071...@posting.google.com>

YES YES YES Lyn!

Hopefully before long people will wise up as we are hearing more and more of
these terrible experiences.

Be prepared to be trashed here. Let it roll off, maybe we can help others and
this needless suffering can be stopped!!

Jan

Joel M. Eichen

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Jul 15, 2001, 3:35:27 PM7/15/01

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Newsgroups: sci.med.dentistry
From: jdrew...@aol.com (JDrew63929)
Subject: Re: Are *Silver* dental fillings safe?
Date: 15 Jul 2001 17:31:51 GMT
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com

REPLY:

To answer Jan's question, YES *silver* dental fillings are safe but
they are b-a-a-a-d for the environment. Thanks for asking by the way.

Cheers,

Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S.

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