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What Are the Dangers of Mercury Fillings?

In recent years, many people have become concerned about the safety of mercury fillings, also known as amalgam fillings. The American Dental Association (ADA) and other major health organizations are working to dispel these fears. Meanwhile, some people are choosing alternative filling materials as a precaution.

  1. Composition

    • Fillings have been typically composed of amalgam, a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, copper and sometimes other metals, according to the ADA. Mercury has been thought to be stable when bonded with these metals, and amalgam is cheaper and more durable than most alternatives.

    Consumer Concerns

    • Some consumers fear that the mercury in amalgam fillings can leach, leading to serious neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Some also fear it can lead to kidney disorders, immune system impairment and even Alzheimer's disease. Mercury is known for causing serious conditions, but the ADA and other major health organizations claim the fillings won't affect most people negatively.

    Other Perspectives

    • According to the ADA, organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization claim that amalgam is a safe material to use as a filling. They say "scare tactics" have been used to cause consumers to fear amalgam fillings, and they advise consumers not to have their mercury fillings removed.

    Legal Action

    • Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its classification of mercury fillings. In response to these protests, the FDA decided to reopen comment on its classification of mercury fillings, says Jennifer LaRue Huget of the Washington Post in "Mercury Fillings Revisited." Moms Against Mercury, along with three other groups, sued the FDA in 2006 with the goal of halting the practice of using amalgam fillings. However, the FDA later decided that mercury fillings do not negatively affect most people, and that they should remain a standard material for fillings.

    Alternatives

    • Despite the claims that amalgam fillings are safe, some consumers are choosing to have theirs removed or are seeking alternatives for new fillings. When deciding on a material for a filling, factors include where the filling is placed, the pressure that will be put on it by chewing, and the patient's budget, says the ADA. Alternatives include composite fillings and ionomers. Composite fillings, sometimes called filled resins, are a combination of glass or quartz filler and resin. They are durable and generally have a moderate cost. Ionomers are made from acrylic acids and fine glass powders. They aren't as durable as composite fillings and amalgams.

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