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The Amalgam Controversy: from the 1800S to Today

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The Amalgam Controversy: from the 1800S to Today Volume 12 September 2010 Dental Holistic dentistry for total health focus Debates about the toxicity of mercury-amalgam fillings have been raging since the time they were introduced to Americans in the late 1820s. The Amalgam Controversy: From the 1800s to Today Amalgam was first developed in 1819 When mercury-amalgam was introduced by a British chemist who filed down to America in the late 1820s, dentists silver coins and mixed them with some began to debate its use right away. Early liquid mercury to make a paste. dental associations advocated the elimi- (Today’s amalgam also contains cop- nation of amalgam fillings, because mer- per, tin, and zinc.) The paste would cury was a known poison. But since harden after being placed into a cavity, amalgam was so much cheaper and more as a result of a chemical reaction. popular, dentists decided to place it any- way. The profits were too great to resist. Amalgam was a real innovation for the dental profession, since the only The controversy over the use of dental other options were expensive gold amalgam led to the demise of the first fillings, dangerous lead, and tooth national dental organization in the extraction. But even then, some den- United States, the American Society of tists rebelled against amalgam due to Dental Surgeons. (The Society, which mercury’s toxic nature. ...continued on Page 2 FSAs Will Be Limited to $2,500 Annually Dr. Lina Garcia, DDS, DMD Many of our patients pay for part of their dental treatments with flexible spending accounts 33 West Higgins Road (FSAs). FSAs are used to save pre-tax income which is then used to reimburse a range of Suite 600 medical expenses, including dental costs. South Barrington, IL 60010 Phone: 847-426-9000 Beginning January 1, 2013, the new health care reform bill will limit annual contributions to Fax: 847-426-9050 health care FSAs to $2,500 per year. (Currently, employers are can set their own contribution limits.) So take advantage of these next three years to clean your mouth by completing your Email: [email protected] treatment plan! Contact us at (847) 426-9000 so that we can schedule your next visit. Website: https://drlinagarcia.com Jelka From Our Kitchen to Yours... Baker Extraordinaire Gwen Kic, our New Patient Coordina- Patient Spotlight Jelka is a new patient of ours tor, would like to share a recipe that is who aspires to own a bakery a staple in her home: homemade may- someday. She creates delicious onnaise. It’s perfect as a sauce for custom-baked goods that can fish, and you can add flavorings such be tailored to any food prefer- as fresh basil or dill to it. Gwen espe- ence or sensitivity. For exam- cially likes it in her salmon salad. ple, Jelka can use natural sweeteners like dried fruit in- Homemade Mayonnaise stead of sugar, gluten-free 2 raw, organic eggs flours such as hemp and rice, Juice of 1/2 to 1 organic lemon (or lime) and carob instead of cocoa. So if you want a good, healthy, treat, 1 tsp. kosher salt look no further! Jelka makes breads, muffins, cupcakes, and cookies 1/2 to 1 c. olive oil, according to de- out of the ingredients you want her to use. Dr. Garcia and the staff sired consistency (the more oil, have tasted many of her recipes, like raspberry cupcakes, chocolate the thicker the mayonnaise) cupcakes, buckwheat bread, and flatbread with rosemary and red peppers. These goodies are usually devoured before we can take any Blend eggs in food processor. Add lemon juice and salt and blend. While home — you’re going to love them! running the food processor, slowly add olive oil until mayonnaise reaches de- Jelka is currently baking out of her home, and we would love to be sired consistency. Makes about 2 cups. able to give her orders on a regular basis. Call Jelka at (708) 977- 9080 to find out more or to order some tasty treats! Amalgam: ADA Condemns Dentists for Removing Toxic Fillings Continued from Page 1... only lasted from 1840 to 1856, required its the use of mercury-amalgam fillings.) members to sign a pledge that they would How Does the U.S. Compare? not use amalgam fillings.) Governments of other countries In July 2009, the Food and Drug Admini- (e.g. Canada, the United Kingdom, stration (FDA) for the first time classified In 1859, a new organization was estab- Germany, France, Sweden, and dental amalgam. In its final rule, the FDA lished to promote the toxic material: the Norway) have placed restrictions acknowledged that dental amalgam re- American Dental Association (ADA). The on, and/or issued advisories leases mercury vapor, that mercury vapor ADA officially claimed, as it does now, against, the use of mercury in den- is absorbed by the lungs and circulatory that mercury-amalgam is safe for patients. tal fillings, particularly in children system, that the mercury accumulates in and pregnant women. bodily organs, and that the mercury can For a time, the debate was reasonably quiet cross both the blood-brain barrier and the as a new generation of dentists was taught ings. Its official stance is that amalgam is a placenta to reach the fetal brain. It also that mercury-amalgam was the best mate- “safe, affordable and durable material,” and agreed that mercury is a “toxic metal” that rial for cavity fillings. that the mixture of metals in an amalgam is “well-documented to cause neurological filling creates a “stable” substance. and renal adverse health effects.” In the 1920s, another major controversy erupted. A German scientist, Dr. Alfred Moreover, the ADA’s code of ethics states Yet the FDA did NOTHING to restrict the Stock, published over 30 articles attacking that removing serviceable mercury fillings use of dental amalgam! mercury fillings for their toxic effects. His simply for the purpose of “eliminating 20 years of research – driven by his suspi- toxic materials from the body” is unethical. The FDA determined that the levels of mer- cion that his own health problems were cury vapors released by dental amalgam are related to his amalgam fillings – suggested It is curious that the ADA should condemn too low to cause harm (emphasizing that that mercury leached out of fillings and this as an unethical practice, when the rest only high exposure levels are dangerous), promoted disease. However, the dental of the world is limiting the use of mercury- and that the causal link between dental community severely criticized his work amalgam. Many countries’ governments amalgam and adverse health effects is tenu- and did not take it seriously. have – at the very least – advised against ous. The FDA ultimately classified dental the use of mercury in dental fillings, par- amalgam into Class II (medium risk), plac- The ADA has steadfastly endorsed the safety ticularly in children and pregnant women. ing it in the same class as gold and com- and effectiveness of mercury-amalgam fill- (Other countries have completely restricted posite fillings. The best compliment our patients can give us is a referral of their friends and family. ~ Dr. Garcia & Staff .
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