ADA: WHO releases report on dental materials, amalgam

American Dental Association - WHO releases report on dental materials, amalgam

Dental amalgam is rapidly fading out from dental practice due to the increased use of aesthetic restorative materials, particularly resin-based composites, for restorations in posterior teeth. However, the debate about the safety of dental amalgam seems to be a never-ending subject. Amalgam opponents go as far as to request this material to be banned due to the toxicity and health issues associated with mercury (oral lesions, autoimmune disorders, chronic illnesses etc.)

In a recent report, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that dental amalgam remains a dental restorative material of choice reaffirming the safety of this material. Nevertheless, the WHO report emphasizes that alternative materials and preventive measures should be further improved and implemented.

In 2009, ADA and FDA agreed that dental amalgam should not be restricted from dental practice since the scientific literature supports amalgam as "a valuable, viable and safe choice for dental patients". Read more about this in another post.

It seems that amalgam will eventually cease to be used in dentistry not because of its safety issues but because of considerable improvements of aesthetic materials.