Dental amalgam is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness. Depending on treatment needs, it is one material available to dentists and patients when considering restorative options.
ASDA’s Policy
ASDA's policy I-5 on Amalgam Restorations states: "It is the position of the American Student Dental Association that, based on available scientific data, the continued use of amalgam as a restorative material does not pose a health hazard to the nonallergic patient. The removal of clinically serviceable dental amalgam restorations solely to substitute a material that does not contain mercury is unwarranted, improper, unethical and intentional misrepresentation to the patient."
What Has ASDA Done?
On December 15, 2010, ASDA’s vice president Andrew Read-Fuller testified at a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee hearing on the safety of mercury amalgam dental fillings. Read his full testimony.
Resources
Amalgam in the News