California Dental Materials Fact Sheet

10/22/2011 by Leave a Comment

This California Dental Materials Fact Sheet is provided by the CDA and is required in California to be made available to all new patients and to existing patients once before treatment. Please cross reference the statements made in the CA fact sheet about the World Health Organizations possition on dental mercury with the World Health Organization’s current publication.

California State Dental Materials Fact Sheet pdf

Dental Materials Fact Sheet

What About the Safety of Filling Materials?

Patient health and the safety of dental treatments are the primary goals of California’s dental professionals and the Dental Board of California. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide you with information concerning the risks and benefits of all the dental materials used in the restoration (filling) of teeth.
The Dental Board of California is required by law* to make this dental materials fact sheet available to every licensed dentist in the state of California. Your dentist, in turn, must provide this fact sheet to every new patient and all patients of record only once before beginning any dental filling procedure. As the patient or parent/guardian, you are strongly encouraged to discuss with your dentist the facts presented concerning the filling materials being considered for your particular treatment.
* Business and Professions Code 1648.10-1648.20

Allergic Reactions to Dental Materials

Components in dental fillings may have side effects or cause allergic reactions, just like other materials we may come in contact with in our daily lives. The risks of such reactions are very low for all types of filling materials. Such reactions can be caused by specific components of the filling materials such as mercury, nickel, chromium, and/or beryllium alloys. Usually, an allergy will reveal itself as a skin rash and is easily reversed when the individual is not in contact with the material. There are no documented cases of allergic reactions to compos­ite resin, glass ionomer, resin ionomer, or porcelain. However, there have been rare allergic responses reported with dental amalgam, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloys, and nickel or cobalt-chrome alloys. If you suffer from allergies, discuss these potential problems with your dentist before a filling material is chosen.

Toxicity of Dental Materials

Dental Amalgam

Mercury in its elemental form is on the State of California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity. Mercury may harm the developing brain of a child or fetus. Dental amalgam is created by mixing elemental mercury (43­-54%) and an alloy powder (46-57%) composed mainly of silver, tin, and copper. This has caused discussion about the risks of mercury in dental amalgam. Such mercury is emitted in minute amounts as vapor. Some concerns have been raised regarding possible toxicity. Scientific research continues on the safety of dental amalgam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is scant evidence that the health of the vast majority of people with amalgam is compromised. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other public health organizations have investigated the safety of amalgam used in dental fillings. The conclusion: no valid scientific evi­dence has shown that amalgams cause harm to patients with dental restorations, except in rare cases of allergy. The World Health Organization reached a similar conclusion stating, “Amal­gam restorations are safe and cost effective.” A diversity of opinions exists regarding the safety of dental amalgams. Questions have been raised about its safety in preg­nant women, children, and diabetics. However, scientific evi­dence and research literature in peer-reviewed scientific journals suggest that otherwise healthy women, children, and diabetics are not at an increased risk from dental amalgams in their mouths. The FDA places no restrictions on the use of dental amalgam.

Composite Resin

Some Composite Resins include Crystalline Silica, which is on the State of California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer.

It is always a good idea to discuss any dental treatment
thoroughly with your dentist.

Dental Materials – Advantages & Disadvantages

DENTAL AMALGAM FILLINGS

Dental amalgam is a self-hardening mixture of silver-tin-copper alloy
powder and liquid mercury and is sometimes referred to as silver
fillings because of its color. It is often used as a filling material and replacement for broken teeth.

Advantages 
❤ Durable; long lasting
❤ Wears well; holds up well to the forces of biting
❤ Relatively inexpensive
❤ Generally completed in one visit
❤ Self-sealing; minimal-to-no shrinkage and resists leakage
❤ Resistance to further decay is high, but can be difficult to find in early stages
❤ Frequency of repair and replacement is low

Disadvantages

• Refer to “What About the Safety of Filling Materials”
• Gray colored, not tooth colored
• May darken as it corrodes; may stain teeth over time
• Requires removal of some healthy tooth
• In larger amalgam fillings, the remaining tooth may weaken and fracture
• Because metal can conduct hot and cold temperatures, there may be a temporary sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Contact with other metals may cause occasional, minute electrical flow

COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS

Composite fillings are a mixture of powdered glass and plastic resin, sometimes referred to as white, plastic, or tooth-colored fillings. It is used for fillings, inlays, veneers, partial and complete crowns, or to replacement for broken teeth.

Advantages
❤ Strong and durable
❤ Tooth colored
❤ Single visit for fillings
❤ Resists breaking
❤ Maximum amount of tooth preserved
❤ Small risk of leakage if bonded only to enamel
❤ Does not corrode
❤ Generally holds up well to the forces of biting depending on product used
❤ Resistance to further decay is moderate and easy to find
❤ Frequency of repair or replacement is low to moderate

Disadvantages

• Refer to “What About the Safety of Filling Materials”
• Moderate occurrence of tooth sensitivity; sensitive to dentist’s method of applica­tion
• Costs more than dental amalgam
• Material shrinks when hardened and could lead to further decay and/or tempera­ture sensitivity
• Requires more than one visit for inlays, veneers, and crowns
• May wear faster than dental enamel
• May leak over time when bonded beneath the layer of enamel

GLASS IONOMER CEMENT

Glass ionomer cement is a selfhardening mixture of glass and organic acid. It is tooth-colored and varies in translucency. Glass ionomer is usually used for small fillings, cementing metal and porcelain/metal crowns, liners, and temporary restorations.

Advantages

❤ Reasonably good esthetics
❤ May provide some help against decay because it releases fluoride
❤ Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed and it bonds well to both the enamel and the dentin beneath the enamel
❤ Material has low incidence of producing tooth sensitivity
❤ Usually completed in one dental visit

Disadvantages

• Cost is very similar to compos­ite resin (which costs more than amalgam)
• Limited use because it is not recommended for biting surfaces in permanent teeth
• As it ages, this material may become rough and could increase the accumulation of plaque and chance of periodon­tal disease
• Does not wear well; tends to crack over time and can be dislodged

RESIN-IONOMER CEMENT

Resin ionomer cement is a mixture of glass and resin polymer and organic acid that hardens with exposure to a blue light used in the dental office. It is tooth colored but more translucent than glass ionomer cement. It is most often used for small fillings, cementing metal and porcelain
metal crowns and liners.

Advantages

❤ Very good esthetics
❤ May provide some help against decay because it releases fluoride
❤ Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed and it bonds well to both the enamel and the dentin beneath the enamel
❤ Good for non-biting surfaces
❤ May be used for short-term primary teeth restorations
❤ May hold up better than glass ionomer but not as well as composite
❤ Good resistance to leakage
❤ Material has low incidence of producing tooth sensitivity
❤ Usually completed in one dental visit
Disadvantages

• Cost is very similar to compos­ite resin (which costs more than amalgam)
• Limited use because it is not recommended to restore the biting surfaces of adults
• Wears faster than composite and amalgam

PORCELAIN (CERAMIC)

Porcelain is a glass-like material formed into fillings or crowns
using models of the prepared teeth. The material is toothcolored and is used in inlays, veneers, crowns and fixed bridges.

Advantages

❤ Very little tooth needs to be removed for use as a veneer; more tooth needs to be re­moved for a crown because its strength is related to its bulk  (size)
❤ Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
❤ Is resistant to surface wear but can cause some wear on opposing teeth
❤ Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit
❤ The material does not cause tooth sensitivity
Disadvantages

• Material is brittle and can break under biting forces
• May not be recommended for molar teeth
• Higher cost because it requires at least two office visits and laboratory services

NICKEL OR COBALT­ CHROME ALLOYS

Nickel or cobalt-chrome alloys are mixtures of nickel and chromium. They are a dark silver metal color and are used for crowns and fixed bridges and most partial denture frameworks.

Advantages

❤ Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
❤ Excellent durability; does not fracture under stress
❤ Does not corrode in the mouth
❤ Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed
❤ Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit

Disadvantages

• Is not tooth colored; alloy is a dark silver metal color
• Conducts heat and cold; may irritate sensitive teeth
• Can be abrasive to opposing teeth
• High cost; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services
• Slightly higher wear to opposing teeth

PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL

This type of porcelain is a glasslike material that is “enameled” on top of metal shells. It is toothcolored and is used for crowns and fixed bridges

Advantages

❤ Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
❤ Very durable, due to metal substructure
❤ The material does not cause tooth sensitivity
❤ Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit

Disadvantages

• More tooth must be removed (than for porcelain) for the metal substructure
• Higher cost because it requires at least two office visits and laboratory services

GOLD ALLOY

Gold alloy is a gold-colored mixture of gold, copper, and other metals and is used mainly for crowns and fixed bridges and some partial denture frameworks
Advantages

❤ Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
❤ Excellent durability; does not fracture under stress
❤ Does not corrode in the mouth
❤ Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed
❤ Wears well; does not cause excessive wear to opposing teeth
❤ Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit

Disadvantages

• Is not tooth colored; alloy is yellow
• Conducts heat and cold; may irritate sensitive teeth
• High cost; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services

DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
1432 Howe Avenue • Sacramento, California 95825
www.dbc.ca.gov
Published by
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Filed Under: Dental Materials, Materials Sensitivity Tagged With: , , , , ,

World Health Organization “Future Use of Materials For Dental Restorations” 2011 pdf

10/22/2011 by Leave a Comment

dental_material_2011

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Patient Guide — Safe Mercury Removal

10/19/2011 by Leave a Comment

Are Mercury Fillings Safe? Mercury fillings emit dangerous mercury vapor.

How we protect you from mercury vapor exposure.  When a dentist removes (drills) on an old amalgam filling, it releases a lot of mercury vapor. You can recognize an amalgam filling because it looks dark gray or silvery. When this mercury vapor is released, you can potentially breathe it in and then have it absorbed into your nervous system or other tissues.

Here’s what we do.

  1. Non-Latex Dental Dam
  2. Medical Air Nasal Hood
  3. High Volume Vacuum
  4. High Speed Suction
  5. Chunck Amalgam Removal
  6. Lots Of Water
  7. Protective Eyewear
  8. Ventilation
  9. Primary Health Provider Communication

Here’s what we do  to protect you from mercury vapor during amalgam filling removal.

First, we use a non-latex dental dam. This is sometimes called a rubber dam; it prevents you from not only breathing in vapor through your mouth but also prevents that vapor from contacting the more permeable mucosa inside your mouth. We use a non-latex dam instead of latex because it resists mercury vapor better than latex does, and because many people have latex sensitivites.

The second thing we do to protect you from mercury vapor is we use a nasal hood supplied with medical air at a high flow rate. We use the same kind of clean, filtered air they use in an operating room. With this air rushing past your nose, you’re much less likely to breathe in mercury vapor from outside the nasal hood.

Third, we place a large, high-volume vacuum right under your chin. This draws a high percentage of escaping vapor away from you and into the vacuum. The vacuum itself has special filters in it that filter not only the particulates but also bind the mercury to special carbon and sulfur layers.

Fourth, we use a high speed suction next to the dental drill, and that suction stays next to the tooth throughout the procedure.

Fifth, we use suction underneath the dam in case any vapor makes it past the nitrile dam.

Sixth, we remove the amalgam in as big of pieces as possible by using thin burrs and sectioning the filling. This way, less mercury vapor gets released.

Seventh, we use lots of water to keep the amalgam cool.

Eighth, we give you protective eyewear.

Ninth, we ventilate the room throughout and after the procedure.

Last, we communicate with your whole-body practitioner to coordinate your dental treatment with your overall plan for detoxification and to optimize your whole-body health plan.

Filed Under: Dental Materials, Natural Dental Health, Safe Mercury Removal Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dr. Scott Taylor Addresses FDA Director Dr. Shuren

09/27/2011 by Leave a Comment

On September 22, 2011 Dr. Scott Taylor addressed the FDA Director over Mercury use in Dentistry at a San Francisco FDA town hall meeting.  Dr. Taylor spoke directly on the need for FDA accountability to the established dangers associated with dental amalgam (mercury) fillings.

Here is a report issued from Charlie Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice covering the FDA town hall meeting.

FDA Director Shuren Confronted at Town Hall Meeting, Says Amalgam Announcement Coming Back

FDA agrees to amalgam announcement this year.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Director of the Center for Devices has agreed that FDA will issue an “announcement” on amalgam by the end of this year.
Dr. Jeff Shuren, who signed the appalling 2009 amalgam rule, agreed to this timeline as he presided at an FDA town hall meeting in San Francisco on September 22. It was the third FDA town hall meeting this year – and for the third time, our movement showed up in force to confront Dr. Shuren about the dangers of mercury fillings. The first town hall meeting was in Texas, the second in Florida, and now the third in California – these states represent a quarter of the U.S. population!

California grassroots director Anita Vazquez Tibau presented testimony on behalf of Consumers for Dental Choice. She highlighted amalgam’s devastating impact on the Latino community. “Many Spanish speakers told me that their dentists have never ever used the word ‘mercurio’ in a discussion,” Anita explained to Dr. Shuren. “Instead, it is deceptively called la amalgama plata – ‘silver fillings.’ I’d like to see you tell everyone that mercury is toxic, and please post it in Spanish as well.”

Then Anita reminded Dr. Shuren of his own famous boast: “We don’t use our people as guinea pigs in the U.S.” She held high a photograph of a Latino kindergartener whose mouth is filled – top and bottom – with mercury fillings. “FDA admits that amalgam can cause neurological harm in young children. Their developing neurological systems are ‘more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of mercury vapor’ says FDA. And FDA admits there is no evidence that amalgam is safe in children under age six: ‘No clinical information is available’ says FDA.” So stop treating Latino children like guinea pigs, Anita concluded.

Dr. Shuren responded. “What I can tell you is we intend to come out with an announcement by the end of the year.”

The clock is running: FDA has 97 days left to act.

I congratulate all the Californian consumers and dentists who confronted Dr. Shuren at the San Francisco town hall meeting – and everyone who has spoken up for mercury-free dentistry in their community. It was the grassroots movement rising up all across America that put amalgam at the top of FDA’s “to do” list. Thank you.

So what will FDA do? Will FDA act as its own scientists recommended: (1) end amalgam use in children, pregnant women, and hypersensitive adults and (2) make sure that every parent knows amalgam is mercury, not silver? Or is FDA simply going to “announce” that it will do something at a later date?

As many of you have been doing since 2009, I urge that you write Director Shuren at jeff.shuren@fda.hhs.gov:

First, thank Dr. Shuren for agreeing to act on amalgam this year.

Second, ask Dr. Shuren to take real action this year – don’t just announce that FDA might act sometime in the future. As Anita explained, our children are being subjected to mercury fillings now – they cannot wait another year.

Third, tell Dr. Shuren to take the advice of the FDA scientists he convened in December 2010. Stop amalgam use in children, pregnant women, and hypersensitive adults immediately. And warn every consumer that amalgam is mercury – a neurotoxin.

Charlie
27 September 2011

Charles G. Brown
National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice
President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry

Filed Under: Materials Sensitivity, Mercury In The News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Join Former US Attorney General in a Dental Mercury Call to Action

09/06/2011 by Leave a Comment

Finally, we have two strong public figures advocating for patients dental rights.  It is time for the U.S. to move away from using mercury in dental fillings.    There are many people in  America, primarily low income individuals and families and members of the military, who do not have a choice in their dental filling materials.  This article address this injustice and how we can try to influence our leaders the make Dentistry less toxic.  Thank you Dr. Mercola and Charlie Brown.  We have called and sent a letter.

By Dr. Mercola With Consumers for Dental Choice

 

That American dentistry became mired in mercury is a story of profits first, people last. Amalgam is a primitive, pre-Civil War, pollution product that is half mercury. The 50 percent of North American dentists still using amalgam likely do so for the quick and easy profits – while handing us the bill for the health effects and environmental disaster.

Now is the time for those dentists still using amalgam to switch, and join their brother and sister dentists who practice mercury-free dentistry. Now is the time for you to decide that henceforth you will not allow mercury in your mouth or your child’s mouth – no matter what a pro-mercury dentist might say. Now is the time for you to tell your neighbor, cousin, or best friend: Don’t get a mercury filling.

And what is a mercury filling?

It is what the mainstream press calls “silver fillings.”

Mercury Amalgams More Commonly Used in Minorities and the Poor…

Just like the one-size-fits-all strategy of medicating community water supplies with fluoride, the use of mercury amalgams disproportionally affects minorities and the poor, as they frequently are left without options—even when they know better and want a safer alternative.

As explained by Charlie Brown in the featured interview:

“People on these very limited dental insurance plans or on Medicaid often have no bargaining power with their dentists. They are being told by the dentists, “This is what I’m going to do.” The dentist may not even tell them what they’re going to do. They just put in fillings. Some dentists treat their patients and those teeth like dollar signs.

 

There’s a disproportionate impact on working [class] American families—whether in Appalachia, where I’m from, or in inner-cities. Working [class] families: white, African-American, Latino, and Native Americans are much more likely to get a mercury filling.

 

… It’s unscrupulous dentistry and it’s terribly unfair to these families… One group that is particularly badly treated are children with disabilities… [T]here was just an all-out battle in Philadelphia, because we succeeded in getting a fact sheet law, so the parents were reading the fact sheets, saying, “I don’t want amalgam.” The dentists serving children with disabilities were telling the parents, “You will get the filling I decide on”… Parents were forced to leave the office or accept a mercury filling! These dentists were backed up by the Pennsylvania Dental Association. That was condemnable.

 

… The ADA in fact issued an apology recently for its history of racism. That appears to continue with their attitude that those who are disabled have no rights to mercury-free dentistry. That’s one of the battles that we’re [facing]… to protect those who are less able to fend for themselves in this economic society.”

Consumers for Dental Choice Paves the Way for Mercury-Free Dentistry Worldwide

Leading the charge against mercury fillings is Consumers for Dental Choice, a nonprofit group founded by Charlie Brown that merits your support. With its worldwide Campaign for Mercury-Free Dentistry, we get closer – year-by-year, and day-by-day – to ending this abominable 150-year historical mistake. But to win, we need action in communities across the United States and around the world.

Here’s what you can do right in your community or your workplace:

If your dentist has not switched to mercury-free dentistry, this is the time for him or her to do so. Call your dentist and ask. If they use mercury and insist on sticking with it, re-consider your choice of dentists.

If you work for a company that covers dental fillings, ask if they will cover composites, ART, or other alternatives to amalgam. Consider the stellar example of the Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin company, which fully covers composite but does not pay for amalgam! Parker-Hannifin employees and their families are getting non-toxic dental fillings.

If you have dental insurance, ask about ending primacy for amalgam. That’s what United Concordia has done with its policies.

If you know your Mayor or a member of your City or Town Council, consider asking if they will do what is happening in some California cities: pass a resolution calling for an end to amalgam and a request that dentists in your town stop using amalgam.

What You Can Do to Help Abolish Mercury Amalgams

Charlie Brown, who runs Consumers for Dental Choice, is headed to Nairobi in October to lead a worldwide delegation participating in the world mercury treaty negotiations. With him will be a team of dentists, consumers, attorneys, and scientists fighting to get amalgam into that treaty. With the world deciding whether we continue allowing mercury in children’s mouths, much is at stake.

During this Mercury-Free Dentistry Awareness Week, I urge you to take action.

Here’s what you can do:

Americans: Our number one problem is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has partnered with the American Dental Association (ADA) to cover up the mercury; to make you think you are getting silver instead of toxic mercury in your mouth. The FDA intentionally conceals the warnings about amalgam deep in its regulation — so parents will never see them. On its website, the FDA gives dentists the green light to continue to deceive consumers with the term “silver fillings”

“Americans are ready for the end of amalgam.” This was the theme of the testimony to the U.S. Department of State on August 18 by former West Virginia state Senator Charlotte Pritt. Yes, Americans are ready. But FDA is not. So let’s send them a message.Nine months ago, FDA scientists advised the agency to disclose the mercury to all patients and parents, and to stop amalgam for children and pregnant women. Yet FDA sits – sits actually in the pocket of the American Dental Association – ignoring its own scientists.

Please write the Director of FDA’s Center for Devices, Jeff Shuren, jeff.shuren@fda.hhs.gov Ask Dr Shuren why the FDA continues to ignore scientists and covers up the mercury from American parents and consumers. Ask when the FDA is going to get in step with the world on mercury.

Dr. Jeff Shuren, Director
Center for Devices, U.S. Food & Drug Admin.
10903 New Hampshire Ave.
WO66-5431, Room 5442
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Telephone:  301-796-5900
Fax:  301-847-8149
Fax:  301-847-8109

 

Filed Under: Materials Sensitivity, Mercury In The News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

06/06/2011 by Leave a Comment

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

 

 

Filed Under: Materials Sensitivity, Mercury In The News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Can I React To Dental Materials?

01/15/2011 by Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Dental Materials, Materials Sensitivity Tagged With: , , , , , , ,