What Dental Filling Materials Are Safe
From MercuryTalk
Contents |
Introduction
For years, dental patients have assumed that the materials being used in dentistry are safe. It is now becoming widely believed that this is not the case.
With the recent rise in awareness about amalgam (mercury-based) fillings and how they continuously offgas highly toxic mercury vapor into the mouth, dental consumers are becoming more choosy about what materials they decide to have placed the the highly-volatile environment of their mouths.
A close look at the materials used in dentistry show that there may be no such thing as a perfect filling material.
Porcelain/Ceramic
Although porcelain/ceramic fillings have been used for years, they often contain a substantial amount of aluminum, normally in the form of aluminum oxide. In some cases, they contain 45% aluminum oxide.
Some manufacturers claim that only very minute amounts of aluminum leach from these fillings, however, medical professionals have claimed to have witnessed aluminum toxicity allegedly caused by this type of filling material. The general belief is that aluminum toxicity leads to immune system issues and neurological disorders.
It has also been reported that porcelain fillings contain various other metals such as cobalt, barium and cadmium, each of which can be harmful to your health. Some manufacturers of porcelain fillings utilize chemicals like acrylate, formaldehyde, hexane, hydroquinone, phenol, polyurethane, silane, strontium, toluene and xylene which can be present in the final filling material.
It is well known that mercury and aluminum are extremely toxic to the body when mixed. Dr. Boyd Haley states that the two metals together are 100-times more toxic to the body than either metal alone. It may be wise to consider this fact if you believe that aluminum leaches from fillings, especially if you're having amalgam (mercury-based) fillings removed just prior.
Resin
Resin fillings are often thought of as "plastic" fillings. They normally contain a mixture of glass and plastic with other substances.
The health concern associated with resins are that they contain a class of chemicals known as bis-phenol (or BIS-GMAs). This substance has been shown—in some cases—to leach estrogen-mimicking compounds into the body. There are also reports that some brands of resin contain barium and/or aluminum.
Some resins are based on another class of chemicals known as methacrylates and have properties that may make them hard on the liver and kidneys over an extended period of time.
Gold
Gold, in it's pure form, is not useful as a dental restoration material (in most cases) because it is too soft. For this reason, it is normally mixed with other metals including chromium, nickel, copper or palladium in order to increase its strength.
The incidence of diagnosed nickel and copper toxicity is increasing rapidly as the awareness of the harmful physical effects of these metals is realized. Copper toxicity often has many of the same symptoms as does mercury toxicity.
Amalgam ("Silver")
Amalgam fillings contain up to 50% (more in some cases) of mercury. This mercury is well-known to offgass into the oral cavity constantly.
Because the toxic properties of mercury are well-known, and considering mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive metal, amalgam fillings are virtually never considered an option by dentists who stay current with medical research. Most (or all) of the arguments promoted by the American Dental Association claiming amalgam safety have been successfully rebutted in the medical literature and by professional organizations.
Popular Materials
There are several trends in the dental industry as information about the possible toxic nature of fillings becomes apparent. One of these trends is the use of a filling material called DiamondLite. Many biological dentists are now considering this material to be one of the "safer" alternatives, although not perfect.
Do You Really Need A Filling
There is a growing debate today over the method used to determine if a filling is actually necessary in many (or most) situations.
Normally, a dentist pokes the tooth with a sharp stainless steel tool. If the tool seems to "stick" to the tooth indicating that the dental enamel is a little soft, the dentist normally determines that a filling is necessary.
Many argue that this method colors the decision to have a filling unreasonably far. They say it is nothing more than a method designed to ensure the economic success of the dental industry.
Considering that an enormous amount of (what may be) healthy and safe enamel is drilled away to make space for a toxic foreign material, we have to consider whether this is the best way to determine that a dental filling is necessary.
For more information, please the following online resources:
- My Mercury Story
- Amalgam Illness Yahoo Group
- Book - It's All In Your Head by Dr. Hal Huggins
- Amalgam Illness - Diagnosis and Treatment by Dr. Andrew Cutler
- Hair Test Interpretation - Finding Hidden Toxicities by Dr. Andrew Cutler
- Amalgam Illness Website
- Mercury Amalgam Illness MSN Group
- Vaccines - The Risks - The Benefits - The Choices by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, DO
Disclaimer: We are not a doctors. We do not prescribe medication or practice medicine. No information we share is intended to prescribe medication or practice medicine, nor is it intended to prevent, treat or cure symptoms, conditions or diseases. We only express our opinions based on personal research and experience.
