Due to dentistry regulations, we’re unable to provide recommendations regarding the safety of using metal in the mouth, including mercury amalgam. However, many people do have questions regarding its safety. The World Health Organization considers mercury as one of the top ten chemicals to be of major concern when it comes to public health. As a highly toxic metal, exposure to it can have serious health implications.

There are arguments for and against the use of mercury and other metals in dentistry, but there’s limited good clinical evidence into the potential health effects. Mercury has been used in amalgam fillings for nearly 200 years. However, a new UK law came into effect in 2018, stating: “dental amalgam should not be used in the treatment of deciduous teeth, in children under 15 years old, and in pregnant or breastfeeding women, except when deemed strictly necessary by a dentist based on the specific medical needs of the patient.”

The British Dental Association is working to avoid a full ban of dental amalgam, but like many other countries, there is an intention to phase out its use on environmental grounds.

OUR STANCE:

We encourage you to educate yourself on both sides of the argument. You can read some of the different points of view from the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT), the US FDA, NCPC, NHS and Guardian.

If you have any concerns about the health implications of this type of filling, or if you’re unhappy about the way they look, speak to our team about mercury amalgam filling removal services. We provide safe removal techniques and metal free dentistry alternatives. We feel if a more biocompatible material is available, which works well and looks great, it makes sense to use it.

Are metal crowns and bridges bad for you?

There are also concerns regarding the use of metals in crowns and bridges, although there is very little evidence to support the claim that the metals used are damaging to health. However, most of the metals are considered bio-tolerant as opposed to biocompatible, as some people have allergies to certain metals used in dental alloys. Fortunately, there are now genuine metal alternatives for virtually all situations that are biocompatible. Not only do they look better, gum health is also generally improved with an all-ceramic crown or bridge than one with a metal core.

We’re happy to carry out metal filling removal and safe mercury filling removal using the SMART protocols, removing root filled teeth to replace them with ceramic or zirconia implants. The SMART mercury filling removal recommendations have been developed by the IAOMT, who have outlined the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique in full. We comply with these guidelines to ensure safe and effective treatment for all of our patients.

While there is more potential for mercury exposure (particular to metal free dentist staff who perform the procedure daily), when removing mercury amalgam fillings, we use now use the IQ air filtration system. This provides an additional line of defence against harmful mercury vapour.