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It is true that amalgam fillings contain mercury.
In general, the lower quality alloys are cheaper and release
mercury more easily with wear and tear. There is an increasing
trend, precipitated usually by patient demand, to replace existing
amalgam fillings with gold, porcelain or resin. The Department
of Health and the British Dental Association have, until recently,
maintained that there is no threat to health from mercury in
fillings.
HOWEVER:
a) The Scandinavian countries and Germany have
stopped the use of mercury containing fillings in children and
pregnant mothers;
b) Some allergy specialists have reported a variety
of symptoms that are blamed on mercury leaking from dental amalgams;
c) On 29th April, 1998. The Department of Health
issued a paper stating that although the use of mercury amalgam
was safe, it is undesirable to remove or replace amalgams in
pregnant mothers.
Our practice policy in reference to mercury
fillings is:
1) Wherever possible, fillings in children will not contain
mercury.
2) Only under exceptional circumstances and with the patient's
knowledge and informed consent will amalgam be used for pregnant
mothers.
3) A choice of filling material will always be available.
It may cost more but we can use gold, porcelain, or composite
in place of amalgam.
4) When we do use amalgam, it is of the highest quality on
the market today (Oral B Permite).
The shaping that is possible with this material helps to reduce
or eliminate the chance of mercury leakage.
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