Clipping Board » Medical Myths ─ The truth about healthcare is often different from what you intuitively think.
【United Daily News / Reporter Zhan Jianfu / Taipei Report】
2008.06.12 02:48 am
The debate over whether to use amalgam for dental fillings remains unresolved. Opponents argue that composite resins can serve as a replacement, while proponents emphasize that there is no scientific evidence to date proving that amalgam harms the human body, and it remains the most effective material for filling cavities in molars.
Dr. Chen Ruisong, a attending physician in the Department of Dental Restoration at National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out that the dental community has been using amalgam for fillings for over 170 years. However, the topic of mercury poisoning resurfaces periodically. "This debate has sparked three major global controversies," he said. He noted that the global annual usage of amalgam is measured in tons, yet only Sweden in Northern Europe has completely banned its use, primarily because amalgam holds an irreplaceable position in dental fillings.
Dr. Chen mentioned that three years ago, the Chinese Dental Association also engaged in a heated debate over whether to discontinue the use of amalgam. The main point of contention was whether patients were truly at risk of mercury poisoning. However, the debate fizzled out because if mercury poisoning were a real concern, the ones truly at risk would be the dentists and their assistants who work with amalgam daily.
He emphasized that amalgam is made by mixing mercury, silver, and copper in specific proportions. Once it hardens, mercury is not released, nor does it release mercury ions through chewing or drinking hot soup. Therefore, even if there is a trace amount of mercury residue in the teeth, its toxicity is extremely minimal. The medical community has yet to produce a single report confirming that amalgam fillings cause any adverse effects.
However, Su Hongfei, Chairman of the National Union of Dentists Associations, pointed out that when the National Health Insurance was first implemented, the ratio of amalgam to composite resin used for fillings was about 50-50. Now, it has shifted to 20-80, primarily due to aesthetic considerations, as some people prefer not to show signs of dental work when they smile.
Dr. Zhang Zheshou, Director of the Dental Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, also noted that due to environmental and patient rights concerns, more people are opting for resin fillings, especially pregnant women, who should be particularly cautious about using amalgam. However, Su Hongfei reminded that while switching to resin for children's fillings is not a major issue, it is important to note that resin fillings require better moisture control. Since children have difficulty controlling drooling, resin fillings are more prone to falling out.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4381032. shtml
Dentists Divided on Silver Amalgam Vs. Resin Fillings
2008.06.12 02:48 am
The debate over whether to use amalgam for dental fillings remains unresolved. Opponents argue that composite resins can serve as a replacement, while proponents emphasize that there is no scientific evidence to date proving that amalgam harms the human body, and it remains the most effective material for filling cavities in molars.
Dr. Chen Ruisong, a attending physician in the Department of Dental Restoration at National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out that the dental community has been using amalgam for fillings for over 170 years. However, the topic of mercury poisoning resurfaces periodically. "This debate has sparked three major global controversies," he said. He noted that the global annual usage of amalgam is measured in tons, yet only Sweden in Northern Europe has completely banned its use, primarily because amalgam holds an irreplaceable position in dental fillings.
Dr. Chen mentioned that three years ago, the Chinese Dental Association also engaged in a heated debate over whether to discontinue the use of amalgam. The main point of contention was whether patients were truly at risk of mercury poisoning. However, the debate fizzled out because if mercury poisoning were a real concern, the ones truly at risk would be the dentists and their assistants who work with amalgam daily.
He emphasized that amalgam is made by mixing mercury, silver, and copper in specific proportions. Once it hardens, mercury is not released, nor does it release mercury ions through chewing or drinking hot soup. Therefore, even if there is a trace amount of mercury residue in the teeth, its toxicity is extremely minimal. The medical community has yet to produce a single report confirming that amalgam fillings cause any adverse effects.
However, Su Hongfei, Chairman of the National Union of Dentists Associations, pointed out that when the National Health Insurance was first implemented, the ratio of amalgam to composite resin used for fillings was about 50-50. Now, it has shifted to 20-80, primarily due to aesthetic considerations, as some people prefer not to show signs of dental work when they smile.
Dr. Zhang Zheshou, Director of the Dental Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, also noted that due to environmental and patient rights concerns, more people are opting for resin fillings, especially pregnant women, who should be particularly cautious about using amalgam. However, Su Hongfei reminded that while switching to resin for children's fillings is not a major issue, it is important to note that resin fillings require better moisture control. Since children have difficulty controlling drooling, resin fillings are more prone to falling out.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4381032. shtml