When Silver Isn't Silver

Since I first published information about the dangers of certain dental procedures, I've received many requests for referrals to holistic dentists in Israel. At this time, I cannot offer referrals. The best I can do is refer you to this website. Dentists listed on this website do not necessarily practice safe dentistry. Ask as many educated questions as possible before setting up an appointment.

What are silver amalgam fillings made of?

According to the FDA, “Approximately half of a dental amalgam filling is liquid mercury and the other half is a powdered alloy of silver, tin, and copper. Mercury is used to bind the alloy particles together into a strong, durable, and solid filling.

FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapor associated with dental amalgam fillings are a cause for concern. Based on this evidence, FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. The weight of credible scientific evidence reviewed by FDA does not establish an association between dental amalgam use and adverse health effects in the general population. Clinical studies in adults and children ages 6 and above have found no link between dental amalgam fillings and health problems.

“The developing neurological systems in fetuses and young children may be more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of mercury vapor.” (Emphasis added) (1)

Most people are also aware that mercury is extremely poisonous. Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on earth. If a mercury-containing thermometer should break, the contents released are considered a biohazard. Everybody knows that handling mercury or inhaling its vapors is dangerous, and yet, we put it in our mouths?

Sometimes we assume that something must be safe because everybody is using it, and they wouldn’t use it if it wasn’t safe. I too have fallen prey to this circular logic on occasion. The reality is that mercury fillings have never been proven safe, and widespread use is no proof of safety, nor is the long history of amalgam fillings justification for further use.

The original “Quackery”

Before the introduction of mercury in the mid 19thcentury, gold fillings which were rather expensive, were in common use. Then, according to dental lore, in the1840’s, some European dentists began using amalgam fillings, which were much cheaper. Mercury, is also known as quaksilber (Eng: quicksilver), and dentists who used mercury in teeth were derisively labeled “quacks” by other dentists who were against the practice. (2)

After the introduction of mercury as a dental material, a raging debate over the use of mercury was kindled among dentists worldwide. The defense of mercury-use has been that it lasts fairly well, molds nicely into teeth, but mainly that it’s the cheapest option available. The downside is that mercury is extremely toxic. As the debate wore on, since the toxicity of mercury is inarguable, the ADA and other likeminded organizations came up with an interesting justification: they claimed that once set, the fillings do not emit mercury. (2)

If this were true, then there certainly would be no problem putting this extremely toxic liquid metal in one’s mouth. But alas it is not, as the FDA and ADA eventually admitted (see box above). Despite clear evidence that mercury is continuously released from amalgam fillings- from the day they are installed, and indefinitely thereafter, (3) the ADA continues to defend its use under the pretense that the amount released is so minute, it is of little concern. Furthermore, they claim that it causes no ill effects. At the same time, they admit that it might damage the brains of children under 6 years of age. This is a rather confounding dichotomy- can mercury simultaneously damage infant brains and yet be safe for adults?

Don’t eat fish, but fill your mouth with mercury anyway

Although the amount of mercury released from amalgam fillings may be minute, there is no safe dosage for mercury. Even miniscule amounts can have devastating health consequences. (1, 3) Although we are warned to minimize tuna consumption due to concern of excessive mercury exposure, incredibly, we have not been alerted by authorities to be cautious about amalgams despite the fact that the exposure level and the particular dangers of mercury vapor from dental fillings greatly exceeds exposure level and dangers of methyl mercury from fish. (4)

Next time, we’ll discuss some common and uncommon ailments that amalgam fillings can cause, what other choices you have for dental filling and what to do if you already have mercury in your mouth.

References:

FDA, About Dental Amalgam Fillings, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015 https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm
Huggins, H.A., DDS, It's All in Your Head: The Link Between Mercury Amalgams and Illness, 1993
The Real Science Behind Mercury In Vaccines & Amalgam Fillings - Professor Boyd Haley PhD Lecture, Published on Sep 11, 2013
G. Mark Richardson, Ph.D, Amalgam Vs. Tuna: which is more risky? Risklogic Scientific Services Inc., Ottawa, ON CANADA https://iaomt.org/amalgam-vs-tuna-risky/ 2013