OK, so this conclusion from the FDA came down last Tuesday. However, most Dentists have known this for a long time already. The FDA is "urging" dentists to provide their patients with a government-written statement detailing the mercury controversy and what science shows. Which is that no harm comes from the amalgam fillings that are placed.
In my office we do not place amalgam "silver" fillings. I do this not because of any concern over the toxicity of the filling material, but because of the usefulness, and ease of placing composite "white" fillings. They look nicer too. There is also less tooth structure removed when a tooth is prepared for a composite filling.
What I do want to note is that the FDA also states that is an amalgam filling is in good condition, and there is no new decay on the tooth, there is NO reason to remove the silver filling! This is important because there was a movement in the not so distant past that wanted to remove every silver filling, stating that by doing so they could cure all types of medical maladies, from MS to Autism to Fibromyalgia. The People who pushed this hogwash are frauds and were making big bucks from innocent people's irrational fears and lack of knowledge.
That being said, I welcome any questions on the subject.
Scott C. Peters, DMD
