FDA calls 'Silver' mercury dental fillings "Harmful"

The decades of debate about the safety of amalgam or 'silver' dental fillings seemingly has come to an end. The US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that silver-colored dental fillings used by dentists to fill in patient's cavities may have toxic effects on pregnant women, fetuses and young children.

The health agency has updated information on its Web site after settling a related lawsuit filed by several consumer advocates.

"Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses," FDA said in the updated "Question and Answer" fact sheet about dental amalgams.

"Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner," the agency continued.

According to the FDA spokeswoman Peper Long, the FDA agreed to alert consumers about amalgam’s potential risks on its website, as part of the settlement with a collection of environmental groups, consumers and state officials.

The health agency will also issue a more specific rule next year for fillings that contain mercury. It has agreed to bring to a conclusion by July 2009.

Several advocacy groups have stated in their lawsuit that the mercury that is found in these fillings could be the cause of some people developing multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s disease.

A mercury amalgam that has stirred controversy since dentists started using it to fill cavities in the 1800s is

Millions of people in the U.S. are said to have the metal fillings, called amalgams, in their mouths. Millions of Americans have the fillings, or amalgams, to patch cavities in their teeth.

A mercury amalgam has stirred controversy since dentists started using it to fill cavities in the 1800s, and since facing the disagreement on its use. Dental amalgam is made up of liquid mercury and a powder containing silver, tin, copper, zinc and other metals.

Mercury, which is toxic to humans, is mixed with other metals to form the amalgam. The mercury concentration in dental amalgams is generally about 50 percent by weight, while the silver concentration ranges from 20 to 35 percent.

The metal can cause neuro-developmental deficits in children and motor problems in adults at high doses. Dental experts have long believed that fillings do not expose most patients to meaningful mercury levels.