Silver dental fillings harmful

BY SUSAN HEAVEY

Washington

June 5: Silver-coloured metal dental fillings contain mercury that may cause health problems in pregnant women, children and foetuses, the Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday after settling a related lawsuit.

As part of the settlement with several consumer advocacy groups, the FDA agreed to alert consumers about the potential risks on its website and to issue a more specific rule next year for fillings that contain mercury, FDA spokeswoman Peper Long said.

Millions of Americans have the fillings, or amalgams, to patch cavities in their teeth. "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and foetuses," the FDA said in a notice on its website. "Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner," the agency said. The FDA said it did not recommend that people who currently have mercury fillings get them removed. The FDA must issue the new rules in July 2009, Mr Long said. Such a rule could impact makers of metal fillings, which include Dentsply International Inc and Danaher Corp unit Kerr. The new rule will give the agency "special controls (that) can provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the product," Mr Long said.

—Reuters