The FDA came to a settlement with Moms Against Mercury in the lawsuit regarding dental amalgam fillings. The FDA’s new view, posted on their website, now reads: ” Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing. FDA’s rulemaking (described in question 7) will examine evidence concerning whether release of mercury vapor can cause health problems, including neurological disorders, in children and fetuses.” Read the statement in its entirety at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html.
The ADA responded by stating, “…the FDA has in no way changed its approach to, or position on, dental amalgam.” Furthermore, the reclassification proposal by the FDA won’t restrict amalgam use for any particular group of patients. The ADA supports classifying encapsulated amalgam and its parts into one category, and the organization still believes that dental amalgam is safe. According to the ADA, dental amalgam offers an affordable solution for cavity treatment. Read the ADA statement here: