Is Dentistry Finally Entering the 21st Century?

By Dr. Mercola

Dentists who use mercury fillings claim that amalgam is safe because it's been used for 150 years. More accurately, dental amalgam is a Civil War relic, hardly a point in its favor. It is no better, nor safer, than other discarded medical practices like bleeding patients, administering calomel, and performing surgery with unwashed hands.

In fact, amalgam poses a whole swarm of problems at every stage of its lifecycle, including…

• Releasing mercury during production: Mercury is released into the environment when amalgam is manufactured.


• Endangering dental professionals: Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental office staff are exposed to mercury during and after amalgam preparation.


• Deceiving dental patients: Most dental patients are not informed that amalgam is 50 percent mercury – many are told that amalgams are "silver fillings."


• Damaging healthy tooth structure: To place an amalgam, a significant amount of healthy tooth matter must be removed – permanently damaging the tooth structure.


• Exposing patients to mercury: Amalgam continues to release mercury after it is implanted in your body, and can even cross the placenta to reach unborn babies.


• Fracturing teeth: Amalgam expands and contracts over time, leading to cracked teeth and hefty dental bills.


• Polluting the environment: Sooner or later, most of the mercury from amalgam ends up in air, soil, and water via numerous unsound pathways.


• Contaminating fish: Once in the environment, amalgam can convert to methylmercury, contaminate fish, and wind up on your dinner plate. >