For the past 15 years, the health concern for mercury amalgam fillings is being discussed by health authorities in many countries throughout the world. This health concern is being reviewed at greater frequency is because of the recent increased in the incidence of people with symptoms like that of chronic mercury poisoning such as: nervousness, depression, general weakness, sleeplessness, headache and skin allergy. Are these ill-heath symptoms in the increase in the dwellers of London city?
Why is there a safety concerns about dental mercury amalgam?
It is believed that mercury vapour is being released whenever the mercury amalgam fillings are placed in the teeth or being removed from the teeth. Mercury vapour is also released during prolonged chewing. This mercury vapour is believed to cause neurological disorders in certain sensitive individuals.
Although there is no concrete scientific evidence that dental amalgam poses a significant health concern to the general population, many countries have their own protocol. This concern has resulted in a few countries like Canada and Sweden to take precaution measure to avoid the use of mercury containing products. Apparently dental amalgam is the most commonly used dental filling throughout the world. Perhaps there is at least one amalgam filling in those above 40 years old in London.
Before proceeding further let me tell you what is this dental mercury amalgam?
The silver-coloured material that is used to fill the cavities of teeth is called the dental mercury amalgam. This dental amalgam is made from two nearly equal parts of liquid mercury and a mixture of metallic powder which contains silver, tin, zinc, copper and other metals. This dental filling mixture is very durable and cost effective as compare to other materials like: tooth coloured resin composites and glass ionomer cement.
Is the concern for dental amalgam still valid today?
As per a new German study published in the recent April 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Research, there is no good reason to worry about the health hazard by dental amalgam.
In this study 90 patients with unspecific medical or psychological complaints were divided into three groups.
Group 1 (removal group)
Patients with amalgam fillings removed.
Group 2 (removal-plus group)
Patients who had their amalgam removed and received detoxification by giving high doses of vitamin and trace elements.
Group 3 (control group)
This last group of 30 patients did not have their amalgams removed. However they were given a health-promotion program that consisted of good nutrition, exercise, and various techniques for relaxation.
In this study, the most common complaints were skin rash, headache, nervousness, sleeplessness, general weakness or tiredness, and more frequent attacks of infectious diseases. The less frequent complaining symptoms were those related to allergies, sensory disorders, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and the urological system.
At the end of the 12 months studies, there was a drop of 3.5 points in the main complaints sum score for the Group 1 (removal group) and Group 2 (removal-plus group). Group 3 (control group), the no-removal group had a drop of 2.5 points.
These symptoms continued to improve throughout the 18 months follow-up period in all the 3 groups. This improved in the health of all the three groups was found to be of statistically significant.
Hence the authors concluded that there should not be any overt worry about the health hazard by dental mercury amalgam. They suggested that those with amalgam dental fillings should adopt a healthier lifestyle with good nutrition, exercise, and some relaxation techniques. This change in the lifestyle can improve the patients’ immune system and thus able to reduce the anxiety over amalgam. However the placebo effect should not be overlook.
Although it is agreed that there is no convincing evidence that mercury amalgams can cause health problems in the majority of the population, the advisory panel to the FDA continue to hold meetings to review regularly. Many of the experts still believe that there is lack of knowledge concerning the effects of mercury amalgam on specific groups of people such as those pregnant women, small children, and people who are more sensitive to mercury.
If you still have concerned about the possible ill-health effects of mercury amalgam fillings, you are advised to talk with your dentist or doctor and choose the non-mercury based dental filling materials.