The U.S. Calls for the Phase-Out of Amalgam Ultimately

The U.S. Calls for the Phase-Out  of  Amalgam Ultimately.

In an extraordinary developments that will change the global debate about amalgam, the United States government has announced that it supports a “phase down, with the goal for eventual phase out by all Parties, of mercury amalgam.” This statement- a radical reversal of its former position that “any change toward the use of dental amalga is likely to result in poitive public health outcomes” — is part of the U.S. government’s submission for the upcoming third round of negotiations for the world mercury treaty.*

While couched in diplomatic hedging — remember it is still early in the negotiations — this new U.S. position makes three significant breakthroughs for the mercury-free dentistry movement:

The U.S. calls for the phase-out of amalgam ultimately and recommends actions to “phase down” its use immediately.  Incredibly, the government adopted three actions that the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Consumers for Dental Choice proposed at the negotiating session in Chiba, Japan.  Our key ally, The Mercury Policy Project, laid the groundwork for this success at a World Health Organization meeting in 2009!

The U.S. speaks up for protecting children and fetuses from amalgam, recommending that the nations “educate patients and parents in order to protect children and fetuses.”

The U.S. stands up for the human fight of every patient and parent to make educated decisions about amalgam.

What does this mean?  Our position — advocating the phase-out of amalgam — is now the mainstream because the U.S. government supports it.  Who is the outlier now?  It’s the pro-mercury faction, represented by the World Dental Federation and the American Dental Association.  With the U.S. continuing its leadership role in this treaty, we will broadcast the U.S. position to other governments around the world, encouraging them to support amalgam “phase downs” leading to phase-outs not only globally, but within each of their countries.

 

We applaud the U.S. government.  But tough work lies ahead.  For example, we must demonstrate to the world that the available alternatives — such as composites and the adhesive materials used in  atraumatic restorative treatment (“ART”) — can cost less than amalgam and will increase access to dental care particularly in developing countries.

 

For now though, let’s mark this watershed in the mercury-free dentistry movement: the debate has shifted from “whether to end amalgam” to “how to end amalgam.”

 

5 April 2011

Charles G. Brown

National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice

President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry

 

 

Can I React To Dental Materials?

Your body can react adversely to dental materials in your mouth.

 Here’s a list of the top 10 offenders and where they are most commonly found;

  1. Mercury (Silver Fillings)
  2. Nickle (Crowns)
  3. Beryllium (Crowns)
  4. Aluminum (Implants)
  5. BPA (While Fillings)
  6. Chrome (Crowns)
  7. Cobalt  (Crowns)
  8. Copper (Crowns)
  9. Formaldehyde (White Fillings)
  10. Phenols (White Fillings)

Here’s  a list of the most common symptoms that can be associated with dental materials sensitivity.

  1. Tooth Sensitivity
  2. Inflamed Gums
  3. Fribomyalsia
  4. Candidiasis
  5. Cancer
  6. Autoimmune Disorders
  7. Fatigue
  8. Increased Environmental Sensitivity

How do I know if  i have these dangerous materials in my mouth?

Dr Taylor is highly knowledgeable  about dental materials and can help you understand what materials might be in your existing restorations  by reviewing your dental X-rays.  But even with X-rays  there are limitations in the ability to  identify the materials in your mouth.  For example, there may be mercury  fillings hiding under crowns or a number of base metals used in metal or porcelain fused to metal crowns.

Many people are sensitive to the dental materials placed in their mouths.  Some more, some less.   We strive to reduce the effects of dental treatment on your body by introducing only those materials that your whole body is comfortable with.  We do this by conscientiously selecting all of the materials that we use in the office, and because no two patients are alike we offer materials pretesting to see if you have any existing allergies to dental materials or dental material byproducts.  This test is useful not only for determining which products are best for future use but also  for reviewing what materials you already have in your mouth.

How much does the compatibility test cost?

Our office provides you with the test kit at no cost.  You will take the kit to a convenient pathology lab and mail your payment directly to Clifford Testing.  The rate they currently charge is around $300.

What is the Clifford Materials Reactivity Test? Clifford Consulting & Research Inc.

Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing (CMRT) is a laboratory screening process used to help identify existing sensitivity problems to various chemical groups and families of compounds in an individual patient. This process is currently being implemented in the CMRT Dental Test. After a patient’s test has been completed, the patient’s reactivity test results are compiled in a report. We are currently reporting on over 11,000 trade-named dental products and 94 chemical groups and families. We have also added a Orthopedic panel reporting on over 3900 trade-named products for surgical applications.

In modern society we come in contact with many substances every day in the food we eat, the products we use and the treatments we receive.

Because each of us possesses a unique biochemistry, these substances effect each of us differently and in varying degrees. For some, the effects of certain substances (and their corrosion byproducts) can be toxic and hazardous, and may result in serious health problems. A substance which causes little or no reaction in one individual can prove harmful to another.

Since these effects may vary in each of us, it is vital that these factors be considered when choosing dental and other materials for use in the body, especially in patients with special or unique health concerns.

Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing (CMRT) provides dentists and physicians with extensive information about their patient’s individual sensitivities so that least offensive materials can be chosen and used in their treatments.

CMRT is not merely based upon the body’s response to biomaterials themselves, but also upon response to corrosion byproducts of those materials. These byproducts are generated at various rates as the materials decompose or break down in the body. It is these products of decomposition that the body must deal with and which are most likely to cause untoward health effects and toxic conditions. The body produces systemic antibodies against challenging antigens and will maintain an immunologic record of the components or chemical families which have proven offensive and which can be observed by CMRT.