Amalgam Fillings Might be Harmful but What about the Alternative?

By: askyourdentist.com  |  Articles
Sunday, 27 April 2008

The discussion is now about a substance called Bisphenol A or BPA which has been found “potentially dangerous” and will be banned from use in plastic baby bottles by the federal government in Canada.

BPA has been linked to early puberty in girls, breast and prostate cancer and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder due to its characteristics as a hormone disruptor that can mimic estrogen.

Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate is a derivative of BPA and can be found in dental sealants and filling materials used increasingly by dentists as an alternative to amalgam fillings.

Some studies have shown that detectable levels of BPA could be found in the saliva of patients that had just received dental treatment with sealants or white fillings.

Dental associations are defending the usage of these materials claiming that the concentration of BPA is very low and only detectable immediately after the treatment.

Darryl Smith, who left the presidency of the Canadian Dental Association last week said: “we’re a small part of what is perhaps a much larger problem. The amount of Bisphenol A is extremely low in dental materials and in some is non-existent.”

Also Health Canada expressed no concern and said that the link between BPA and dental materials doesn’t appear hazardous and that no action is required to limit exposure.

Some patients are now concerned about the substance and questioning the usage of the materials in their mouths especially after the coming ban from the government.

Aaron Freeman, policy director at Environmental Defence said “regardless of how low the exposure level may be, BPA is a toxic substance that shouldn’t be used in any consumer products.”

Dr Smith explained that “even though there is no health risk, the industry is looking at ways to eliminate or reduce the chemical’s presence in response to growing concern from patients.”

Reporter: Carly Weeks

Source: globeandmail.com

Date of article: 24 April 2008

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