Mercury Amalgam Fillings

by Irene LaVergne

Mercury amalgam refers to the "silver" fillings used in dentistry. It is a compound of mercury, copper, tin and perhaps silver. While this compound has been used in dentistry for more than 150 years, its use has come under attack in recent years because of concerns that mercury will adversely affect one's health. In 1989, the environmental protection agency declared mercury amalgam to be a toxic substance under the superfund law. In 1990, the CBS television program "60 Minutes" presented a program in which the possible health dangers were reported. One of the central figures in this report was Dr. Hal Huggins, DDS, who had a clinic in Colorado. He became convinced that mercury was instrumental in the development of a number of diseases, including MS. He advocated removing all dental fillings and replacing them with gold or porcelain.

Two camps have developed since then: those who feel that their disease is a result of mercury amalgam with many reporting feeling better after their fillings were replaced, and a second group who points out that there are no good studies that implicate mercury amalgam in the cause of multiple sclerosis or other illnesses. Those in the first group rely on reports from patients about their symptoms and treatment effects; so-called anecdotal evidence. The second group has used scientific studies based on epidemiological studies, test results, and other scientific evidence.

The information presented here is to give you a general idea of the issues involved. The web links below offer more in-depth analyses of the pros and cons surrounding this topic. We ask that you read this information carefully, and consult your physicians and dentist for their opinion as well.

Is mercury amalgam responsible for causing or worsening MS?

Websites that believe there is no scientific evidence for such a claim:

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/amalgam.asp
The American Dental Association

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mercury.html
"The Mercury Amalgam Scam" by Stephen Barrett, MD

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.html Discusses holistic dentistry which includes mercury-free dentistry

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/huggins.html
Summary of judges ruling re:revocation of Huggins' DDS license

Websites that believe evidence exists that people are harmed by mercury amalgam and helped by its removal:

http://www.amalgam.org/
Cites studies and has links to websites

http://www.holisticmed.com/dental/amalgam/
Amalgam / Mercury Dental Filling Toxicity

http://www.selene.com/healthlink/amalgam.html
mercury amalgam safety: rethinking dangerous decisions

Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.




	Mercury Amalgam Fillings *by Irene LaVergne* Mercury amalgam refers to the "silver" fillings used in dentistry. It is a compound of mercury, copper, tin and perhaps silver. While this compound has been used in dentistry for more than 150 years, its use has come under attack in recent years because of concerns that mercury will adversely affect one's health. In 1989, the environmental protection agency declared mercury amalgam to be a toxic substance under the superfund law. In 1990, the CBS television program "60 Minutes" presented a program in which the possible health dangers were reported. One of the central figures in this report was Dr. Hal Huggins, DDS, who had a clinic in Colorado. He became convinced that mercury was instrumental in the development of a number of diseases, including MS. He advocated removing all dental fillings and replacing them with gold or porcelain. Two camps have developed since then: those who feel that their disease is a result of mercury amalgam with many reporting feeling better after their fillings were replaced, and a second group who points out that there are no good studies that implicate mercury amalgam in the cause of multiple sclerosis or other illnesses. Those in the first group rely on reports from patients about their symptoms and treatment effects; so-called anecdotal evidence. The second group has used scientific studies based on epidemiological studies, test results, and other scientific evidence. The information presented here is to give you a general idea of the issues involved. The web links below offer more in-depth analyses of the pros and cons surrounding this topic. We ask that you read this information carefully, and consult your physicians and dentist for their opinion as well. Is mercury amalgam responsible for causing or worsening MS? Websites that believe there is no scientific evidence for such a claim: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/amalgam.asp The American Dental Association http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mercury.html "The Mercury Amalgam Scam" by Stephen Barrett, MD http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.html Discusses holistic dentistry which includes mercury-free dentistry http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/huggins.html Summary of judges ruling re:revocation of Huggins' DDS license Websites that believe evidence exists that people are harmed by mercury amalgam and helped by its removal: http://www.amalgam.org/ Cites studies and has links to websites http://www.holisticmed.com/dental/amalgam/ Amalgam / Mercury Dental Filling Toxicity http://www.selene.com/healthlink/amalgam.html mercury amalgam safety: rethinking dangerous decisions Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.
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