I’ve had a mouth full of fillings done when I was very small and all of them are silver amalgam. Granted they are very ugly to look at but they are hardy and don’t cause any problems .But the recent research ahs proved to be shocker with the FDA of London stating that almost all silver amalgam fillings are dangerous for your health. This is a drastic diversion from the stand which the FDA had maintained for several years that the silver amalgam filling material is completely safe for use in the oral cavity.Silver amalgam fillings have long been a mainstay of all dentists as they are cheap, easily done and very hardy. But there have been whispers for a long time from alternative medical practitioners about the ill effects of the mercury which is used to make the silver amalgam so pliable. On June 2nd,a class action suit filed by dentists and consumer groups was won by the consumer advocate groups and the FDA has now changed its tune 360 degrees. Research has been around since 1926 stating that mercury in silver amalgam fillings can be dangerous for patients and the fact has been reinforced by many dentists who are no longer using the material as a restorative inside the mouth. Dentists are now pretty confused and it’s the duty of the FDA to provide detailed guidelines on what will be the safest way to use this material inside the mouth.

I’ve got over 5 silver amalgam fillings in my mouth done in London and they’ve never given me a moment’s trouble. But the current news about the ill effects of silver amalgam filling is beginning to worry me and I decided to do a little further research.Silver amalgam fillings have been the mainstay of dentistry for over several years. Even today several people get regular dental fillings done in silver amalgam .So why the hoo-hah about something which is pretty routine for every one?
Even though silver amalgam fillings were introduced over 150 years ago the material has constantly been under a cloud of doubt. Recent claims by a new breed of holistic dentists have really scared everyone to the safety of silver amalgam fillings. Holistic dentistry claims that the mercury on silver amalgam is very dangerous and the older the filling the worse it is. They advise complete removal of old mercury fillings and replacement with newer white colored restorations

There are a whole group of patients who claim that mercury is hazardous and can cause a whole range of dangerous defects like brain damage, birth problems, multiple sclerosis, allergies, Alzheimer’s , as well as many chronic diseases. But the American Dental Association has vigorously supported the use of mercury amalgam fillings as secure. In fact it has advised against the removal of old amalgam fillings if the patient is not having any problems!

I just hope some one would clarify the problem for me!