Cancer myth:Dental fillings and cancer
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Origin of the myth
Many metallic fillings are made of amalgam – a mixture of mercury with silver, tin, and
copper. Some people have warned against the use of these amalgam fillings, in
particular proponents of biological dentistry.
Biological dentistry is the removal of teeth or fillings which are said to contain toxins.
Practitioners of biological dentistry claim that the mercury in metal fillings can escape,
travel to organs, and cause diseases, including cancer.
Current evidence
The FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) has released a statement confirming that small
amounts of mercury are leaked from dental fillings. These amounts are measured in
nanograms (ng), which are on billionth of a gram. The FDI and World Health
Organization (WHO) assert that there is no evidence of a link between amalgam fillings
and chronic degenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, altered
cognitive function or adverse pregnancy outcomes.[1, 2]
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) states that the use of amalgam dental fillings
produces no harmful effects. They advise that it is not necessary to replace amalgam
fillings, and warn that doing so can damage or weaken teeth and produce short-term
sensitivity and pain in the mouth.[3]
The American Cancer Society has reviewed the evidence and does not support claims
that removing amalgam fillings can prevent cancer or any other disease.[4] The American
Dental Association has declared that unnecessary removal of fillings is unethical.[5]
A division of the World Health Organization, called the International Agency for the
Research of Cancer (IARC) examined the toxicity in a report on surgical implants and
foreign bodies. Fillings were reviewed and were not classified as either carcinogenic or
possibly carcinogenic. The review also stated that there was insufficient evidence that
metallic implants were carcinogenic.[6]
The Report on Carcinogens (RoC) is a list of known or reasonably anticipated human
carcinogens (cancer causing substances). Mercury is not on this list.[7]
Summary
To date, there is no evidence that amalgam fillings cause cancer, or have any other
adverse health effects. The only possible risk is that amalgam dental fillings can
sometimes cause local side effects or allergic reactions. These hypersensitivity
reactions are rare and can be treated by removing the amalgam filling.
There are alternatives to amalgam fillings which can be used if you are still concerned
about the carcinogenicity of mercury. However, it is not advised that you remove your
current amalgam filling to replace it with another filling.
References
1. FDI World Dental Federation, WHO Consensus Statement on Dental Amalgam, in FDI
Policy Statement, FDI World Dental Federation, Editor. 1997, FDI World Dental
Federation,: Dubai.
2. FDI World Dental Federation, Safety of Dental Amalgam, in FDI Policy Statement, FDI
World Dental Federation, Editor. 2007, FDI World Dental Federation,: Dubai.
3. Australian Dental Association (ADA). Amalgam Fillings. Frequently Asked Questions
2005 [cited 30/01/2008]; Available from:
http://www.ada.org.au/faqs/faq,documentid,26676,category,Amalgam_Fillings.aspx.
4. American Cancer Society (ACS). Biological Dentistry. Making Treatment Decisions
2007 [cited 30/01/2008]; Available from:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Biological_Dentistry.asp.
5. American Dental Association (ADA). ADA Statement on Dental Amalgam. ADA
Positions and Statements 2007 [cited 30/01/2008]; Available from:
http://www.ada.org/1741.aspx.
6. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Volume 74: Surgical Implants and
Other Foreign Bodies, in IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to
Humans, IARC, Editor. 1999, IARC: Lyon, France.
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11th Report on Carcinogens. 2005,
Public Health Service - National Toxicology Program,.
