Can Dental Fillings Cause Cancer? Here Is What You Need to Know.

Several types of dental filling materials are used in dentistry treatments. Some are known to replace a missing tooth and restore the decayed and damaged tooth. Most commonly dentists prefer to use either silver amalgam or composite dental fillings. Can dental fillings cause cancer?

Let’s see what researchers say about each of them.

Amalgam Dental Filling

Amalgam is an alloy of mercury, copper, tin, silver, and several other trace metals. This alloy has been in the dental market for 150 years. Researchers have been investigating amalgam filling to study the impact of mercury on human health.

The Australian Dental Association issued a policy statement about the use of amalgam dental filling. According to this Policy Statement FDI World Dental Federation has issued the following directions on amalgam safety:

1. Amalgam Dental Filling releases a minute quantity of mercury. The human body may absorb some mercury from this.
2. The urinary level of mercury is somehow related to mercury from amalgam but it may be from other sources other than mercury.
3. No evidence has shown a correlation between amalgam dental filling and chronic diseases like kidney disorders, cognitive functions, autoimmune diseases, and complications during pregnancy.
4. Local hypersensitivity can stimulate the mucosa adjacent to an amalgam dental filling. This is a very rare condition and can be rectified by the removal of the amalgam.
5. Further research on the harmful aspects of amalgam is required.
6. The alternatives to amalgam have more adverse effects on human health.

According to the Cancer Council of Western Australia, no evidence indicates amalgam a cause of cancer or health complications. Dental amalgam can develop some local side effects or allergic reactions. If you are still concerned about the carcinogenic effects of mercury, you can replace your amalgam dental filling with some other material. Yet, the replacement of amalgam dental filling is not recommended.

Composite Dental Fillings

Bisphenol-A has been used in plastic and food products since the 1960s. Some studies have indicated some harmful impacts of BPA on human health. According to the Australian Dental Association:

1. BPA is not a formula ingredient in any dental product. It may occur in a trace amount in dental materials due to the manufacturing process.
2. The dental materials that have resin may have BPA in a trace amount and are present only for 24 hours after the implantation of the material.
3. The release of BPA during finishing, polishing, and removal of resin is under study.
4. There is inadequate research about the release of BPA and its adverse effects.

Conclusion

According to the results of recent research, no evidence indicates amalgam as a cause of brain cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or chronic diseases. Also, no evidence suggests composite resin is a source of Bisphenol-A. More investigation is required to study the impact of amalgam and composite dental fillings on human health.

For the best dental filling procedures, talk to one of our dental professionals here at ArtSmiles.

Our dentists in Southport are ready to treat you like you deserve. Click here to make an appointment.

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