WHO Calls for ‘Phase Down’ of Dental Amalgam
Laird Harrison
Authors and Disclosures

October 24, 2011 — A World Health Organization (WHO) committee this month called for a worldwide reduction in the use of dental amalgam to cut the flow of mercury into the natural environment.

“In an environmental perspective, it is desirable that the use of dental amalgam is reduced,” Poul Erik Petersen, DDS, DrOdontSci, responsible officer of the Global Oral Health Programme, told Medscape Medical News.

Dr. Petersen chaired a 2-day conference on amalgam as part of a United Nations effort to organize a worldwide treaty on mercury. The WHO released a report of the proceedings on October 11.

At a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 16 to 17, 2009, 29 experts from 15 countries concluded that the use of dental amalgam results in 180 to 240 metric tons of mercury being discharged into the atmosphere, soil, and water every year. In contrast, 80 to 100 metric tons are recycled, sequestered, or disposed of securely, the report said. However, the report concludes, amalgam should not be banned outright because alternative filling materials are more expensive and not as reliable.

The report calls for research to improve filling materials and said the use of all dental filling materials should be reduced through measures that prevent caries.

The report drew praise from an antimercury activist group, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, which released a statement calling the report a “road map for the end of amalgam.”

However, a spokesman for the American Dental Association said it is not necessary to reduce the use of dental amalgam at all. “There is no reason per se to phase down amalgam,” Rodway Mackert, DMD, PhD, a professor of dentistry at Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta, told Medscape Medical News. “The effect of doing that on the amount of mercury going into the environment is negligible.”

Dental caries are becoming an increasing problem in middle- and low-income countries as they adopt Western lifestyles, including high consumption of sugars, but have not yet begun widespread preventive programs, such as fluoridation, the report says. As a result, the need for filling materials is expected to grow in these countries.

Already, dental amalgam is releasing “a significant amount” of mercury into the environment, the report found. This pollution results from amalgam made for dental use but diverted to other purposes, from poor disposal practices, and from cremation, the report said.

It laid out “best management practices,” including bulk mercury collection, chair-side traps, amalgam separators, vacuum collection, recycling, and commercial waste disposal to prevent mercury from being released into the environment. It cited a US Environmental Protection Agency estimate that 3.7 tons of mercury are discharged into the environment from US dental practices each year.

Dr. Mackert said this is trivial compared with the 1500 tons generated by mining and other industrial uses in the United States, and he cited an US Environmental Protection Agency report saying that human activity only accounts for a third of the total mercury released into the environment. “Most of the mercury in tuna and things like that comes from natural sources like undersea volcanic vents,” he said. “Reducing man-generated mercury is so much silliness.”

He said the American Dental Association supports best management practices because if mercury gets into sewage sludge, then waste management companies cannot sell the sludge. However, amalgam has clear advantages over other restorative materials, so it should remain available to US dentists, Dr. Mackert said.

The WHO report considered the merits of amalgam vs other restorative materials. It cites a study finding that the repair rate for composite resin restorations was 7 times greater than for amalgams in posterior primary and permanent teeth.

On the hotly contested issue of toxic effects from amalgam, the report quoted a study by the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit, finding that “the majority of side-effects of dental filling materials are linked with dental amalgam.” Most of these are skin reactions and pain occurring within a week after treatment.

The report noted that amalgam surfaces release mercury vapor into the mouth and lungs, but stopped short of attributing any health effects to this phenomenon, and pointed out that other restorative materials may also cause adverse reactions.

So far, only Norway has completely banned amalgam, but some other Scandinavian countries have policies for reducing its use. The report noted that wealthy countries are better able to avoid amalgam because they have been able to institute caries prevention programs, and because patients can afford more expensive materials.

Less-wealthy countries and indigent people living inside wealthy countries should not be deprived of access to amalgam restorations until better alternatives emerge, the report concludes.

Dr. Mackert has served as an expert witness for dental supply companies sued for producing amalgam. Dr. Petersen has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

World Health Organization. Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration: Report of the meeting convened at WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland 16th to 17th November 2009. Released October 11, 2011. Full text

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Lindsay Lohan

Here at Bay Dental and Orthodontics we have access to a few different bleaching methods. we have Zoom but like Lindsay patients have experienced more sensitivity.

So we also have access to Pola and Lumibrite. With both , I find my patients  experiencing less sensitivity.

Let me know your experiences.

I look forward to seeing Lindsay Lohan’s pearly white teeth in her upcoming Photo shoot

Here is a link of Dr Liechtung on Channel 10 Adelaide

Snap-on Smile

The old man placed an order for one hamburger, french fries and a drink.

He unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half, placing one half in front of his wife.

He then carefully counted out the French fries, dividing them into two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife.

He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them . As he began to eat his few bites of hamburger, the people around them were looking over and whispering.

Obviously they were thinking, ‘That poor old couple – all they can afford is one meal for the two of them.’

As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table and politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple. The old man said, they were just fine – they were used to sharing everything

People closer to the table noticed the little old lady hadn’t eaten a bite.   She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink.

Again, the young man came over and begged them to let him buy another meal for them.

This time the old woman said ‘No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything.’

Finally, as the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the   napkin, the young man again came over to the little old lady who had yet to   eat a single bite of food and asked ‘What is it you are waiting for?’

She answered…

‘THE TEETH.’

This infographic illustrates some interesting things you might not know about your tongue. Say Ahhhh!!!!

The event was fully attended by Australian entrepreneurs and business executives who want to improve running their businesses or improve their careers.

We thought it was a worthwhile event that would enhance our position within this community of high achievers.

We know all too well how first impressions are important in sales, which is why we are promoting safe and gentle teeth whitening to our professional clients who deal with the public on a regular basis.

Give us a call now to book a no-obligation assessment of your teeth, to determine if you can whiten them safely.

You can! The product is called Invisalign and they work as a series of hard, clear plastic moulds you place over your teeth like a mouthguard. This is accomplished through computer generated images that let a high tech machine know which moulds to make to reposition each tooth perfectly where it should be.

The whole process is simple, painless and achieved through a virtually invisible process. This is ideal for self-conscious teens and adults who can’t afford the stigma associated with regular “train track braces”.

A recent dental study on smiling revealed smiling can also further you career.

74% of people think that an attractive smile helps a person’s changes for job and business success.

But, what if you’re afraid to smile, or what if your smile is unattractive because your teeth are crooked and you need braces.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on your dream job just because of uneven teeth. You don’t want make a poor impression by not smiling when you should.

Braces are an answer, however most adults don’t want train tracks across their teeth like a teenager’s braces, but they also don’t want to go through life scared to smile because of misaligned teeth.

Here’s a bit of truth that can get you a winning smile – Invisalign fixes your teeth without the worry of cumbersome, smile ruining metal braces. Countless Invisalign reviews confirm the painless ease of use and that the ‘invisible’ braces are barely noticed by friends, coworkers and family.

Plus, the cost of Invisalign is miniscule compared to the lifetime of successes that having a straight, appealing smile will bring.

But, you do have to be rocket scientist to invent invisible braces. Invisalign is made from translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA), a material developed by NASA’s Advanced Ceramics Research, originally designed to protect heat seeking missiles.

Now, instead of protecting missiles, these clear braces protect and straighten your teeth.

Invisible braces were first sold in 1987, but their prices were less cost effective than Invisalign prices and the procedure was less precise. These invisible braces resembled mouth guards, they were cumbersome, ill-fitting and almost as bad as traditional wire braces, while the cost was twice as much.

In 1997, Stanford University students Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth perfected the Invisalign orthodontics procedure. The MBA students used high-tech computer imaging graphics to make sure that the invisible braces work exactly like metal braces, without the pain and the constant adjustments.

Here’s a fun fact; neither Chishti nor Wirth had any dental training, they were both traditional braces users that were tired of dealing with teeth issues.

Invisalign officially hit the markets in 2000, and instantly became the easiest to use most popular invisible braces ever.

Using an entertaining approach to peak curiosity for serious matters helps to reach others who shy away from health talks or younger generations who don’t yet have the attention span to read through entire reports.

Because of this, there are some individuals who feel it’s important to also add entertainment to help increase awareness like this youthful, looking dentist, featured in the video below.

By mixing up the daily and sometimes upsetting reports with a jazzy musical number, a different light helps to bring awareness to the risks associated with dental amalgams – enjoy!

Songs are known for helping to retain factual information and with this catchy tune, you might even find yourself singing along!

Previously, we broke down Tom Cruise’s smile and found that it wasn’t quite as perfect as most people originally believe it to be. This time around, we’ll switch genders and focus on a famous set of chompers dentists love talking about that now sits gorgeously aligned in Katherine Heigl’s mouth.

While Katherine wasn’t born with extremely horrendous teeth, there were enough problems to make her feel insecure for much of her life. After she became engaged, Katherine decided that she was going to have that perfect smile for her big wedding day.

Being an actress in box office movies as well as having been a main character on the hit television show, Grey’s Anatomy, means that walking around with silver braces is not a possibility for her to consider.

Because of this, Katherine chose to opt for the clear and discreet Invisalign aligners. When she first started wearing them in 2007, Heigl couldn’t stop talking about the wonders of Invisalign and what it was doing for her.

Like many adults who would, understandably, feel incredibly self-conscious walking around with prominent braces, Katherine wanted to fix her teeth with the least amount of attention pointing out her biggest insecurity.

Luckily for us, Katherine is known for being outspoken and isn’t shy when talking about her ‘wonky tooth’ and proudly showing off her Invisalign set:

Katherine Heigl Invisalign Video

If you’ve noticed, right in the middle of her interview, she pulls out her Invisalign trays for everyone to see! It’s a little difficult to see her teeth clearly in that clip so here is a ‘Before’ photograph. See if you can spot what’s wrong with her teeth: The most visible aspect is her two lateral incisor teeth slightly protrude outward farther than her front teeth. While this isn’t as apparent from the front view, it’s quite obvious when looking from this angle:

Many people notice crooked teeth and perceive it as only a cosmetic flaw when realistically, there are many other problems associated with it. When there is misalignment of teeth, as shown in Katherine’s incisors, it means that the upper and lower jaws are not aligned. It can also affect the function of the jaw which can lead to sore muscles and headaches.

This specific dental problem is extremely common due to the fact that more often than not, it’s hereditarily passed on from parent to child.

Invisalign isn’t suitable for people with weak roots or those who require more extensive dental work. Since Katherine Heigl’s protruding teeth are such a common occurrence, she was the perfect candidate for Invisalign after her visit to the dentist or orthodontist.

Although Katherine has always been a natural beauty, teeth and all, take a look at what a difference Invisalign has made for her:

Not only did Invisalign give her straighter teeth – it gives her entire face a brighter, more dazzling appearance because of her improved self-confidence.

I wanted to make sure you got to see the segment to realise it’s a VERY RARE occurrence – the first of its kind reported in Australia.

Putting aside data spreadsheets and machines that didn’t yet exist, very evident signs of mercury toxicity appeared in mouths that blistered, gum lines that bled and even disorientation. Obviously, this led to many disagreements with one side stating that the process involved minimal pain with long-lasting durability and the other refuting this claim, stating that the side effects of mercury were too harmful to the human system, having negative, long-lasting side effects.

The progression in the use of ‘silver’ amalgams has always maintained the debate of ‘Is it or isn’t it’ harmful to people up until this very day! What has changed, though, are the new medicines used in dental offices to numb pain and more importantly, the new uses of different elements combined to create composite fillings and fillings made with porcelain or glass.

While the world is shifting towards the removal of amalgam fillings (not to mention the decline of initial amalgam placements), there are still a vast number of people who already have multiple dental amalgams or are receiving them for the very first time.

By continuing to raise awareness on the dangers of mercury, the numbers of amalgam fillings will continue to decline allowing the number of healthy persons to continually increase.

Watch the video to learn the story behind amalgam fillings… I warn you it’s shocking!

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) decided that the next obvious step in raising awareness was to not just write about their scientific findings but to show everyone the cold, hard truth of the hazardous waste sitting in millions of people’s mouths.

Gaining notoriety, this video sent many patients with dental amalgams on the mission of having them removed and replaced with safer composite fillings:

After this video came out, the ‘seeing is believing’ approach caused a stir for dentists and associations dedicated to amalgam fillings.

Many pro-amalgam dentists and dental associations claimed that the video was a fake or a conspiracy while others argued that special effects were used to produce these vivid results.

Dr. Layton, an amalgam free dentist, came back stronger with a new video refuting any doubts of special effects by using the Jerome Mercury Vaporizer, the only instrument available to detect on-site mercury vapours:

After watching these videos, it’s impossible not to feel alarmed over the risks of amalgam fillings!

Let’s face it first impressions DO COUNT.

A lot.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression

First impressions are based primarily on looks. According to an Australian survey, 3 out of 4 people believe that the way you look defines your character.

You can dress however you want when you are home, or with friends, but in the business world, a professional look is key to success.

In an increasing casual world, a professional look signals dedication and expertise.

What elements make up a classical professional look?

For men, it’s dark-colored, tailored suits. To add extra sophistication, men can add a crisp white shirt, a conservative tie, and polished shoes.

Businesswomen should wear a skirt or pantsuit, with a modest blouse. Heels should be an appropriate height. This is for aesthetic and safety reasons.

Both sexes should avoid loud jewelry and strong cologne/perfume. Also, visible tattoos and body piercing are NEVER professional. (unless you work in music or the circus)

But, dressing for success means nothing if you look unhealthy.

Weight is a physical attribute that people will notice when scanning you during that ever-important first impression. “The interview.”

People may not notice how physically fit you are, but they will notice if you are over or under weight. Especially if you are obese.

If you are overweight, people may assume that you have little self-discipline and self-respect They may be reluctant to hire or do business with you.

Being underweight isn’t much better. No one is going to want to work with you if you look sick, anemic or anorexic.

Most weight issues can be fixed with dedication to proper diet and exercise.

When it comes to your dental aesthetics, it’s vitally important you put your best smile forward.

At Bay Dental + Orthodontics, we have several options to offer.

First, we have Invisalign™, the clear alternative to braces. We also have Snap-On Smile™ and other cosmetic dental solutions for you to choose from.

This is accomplished through computer generated images that let a machine know which molds to make to get your smile (teeth) in order.

The whole process is simple, painless and achieved through virtually invisible braces. However, if Invisalign™ doesn’t seem like it’s right for you, there are alternatives.

Invisalign™ vs Braces

You could get regular, old-fashioned “train-track” braces. In this process, heavy wires are bonded to your teeth and then painfully tightened every few weeks until your teeth are pushed back into place. This is expensive and it often leaves patients with aching mouths and sore jaws. Plus, metal braces can cause excessive gum tissue, which can make even straight teeth look crooked.

Invisalign™ vs Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a quicker fix than both Invisalign™ and traditional braces, but it’s costly, traumatic, painful and leaves your mouth in traction for weeks. And, like traditional metal braces, cosmetic dental surgery can leave your teeth still looking crooked, making you self conscious about your smile.

But, you do have to be a rocket scientist to invent invisible braces. Invisalign™ is made from Translucent Polycrystalline Alumina (TPA), a material developed by NASA’s Advanced Ceramics Research, originally designed to protect heat seeking missiles. ^[i]

Now, instead of protecting missiles, these clear braces protect and straighten your teeth.

Invisible braces and invisible were first sold in 1987, but their prices were less cost effective than Invisalign™ prices and the procedure was much less precise. At twice the cost, these first generation invisible braces resembled mouth guards, they were cumbersome, ill-fitting and almost as bad as traditional wire braces.

In 1997, Stanford University students Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth perfected the Invisalign™ orthodontics procedure. ^[ii]

The MBA students used high-tech computer imaging graphics to make sure that the invisible braces work exactly like metal braces, without the pain and the constant adjustments.

Here’s a fun fact; neither Chishti nor Wirth had any dental training, they were both traditional braces users that were tired of dealing with teeth issues.

Invisalign™ officially hit the markets in 2000 and instantly became the easiest to use, most popular invisible braces ever.

^[ii] http://www.archwired.com/HistoryofOrtho.htm

Smiling can also further you career, 74% of people think that an attractive smile helps a person’s changes for job and business success.

But, what if you’re afraid to smile, or what if your smile is unattractive because your teeth are crooked and you need braces.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on your dream job just because of uneven teeth. You don’t want make a poor impression by not smiling when you should.

Braces are an answer, however most adults don’t want train tracks across their teeth like a teenager’s braces, but they also don’t want to go through life too self-conscious to smile because of misaligned teeth.

Here’s a bit of truth that can get you a winning smile- Invisalign™ fixes your teeth without the worry of cumbersome, smile destroying metal braces. Invisalign™ are painless, easy to use and the invisible braces are barely noticed by friends, coworkers and family.

Plus, the cost of Invisalign™ is miniscule compared to the lifetime of successes that having a straight, appealing smile will bring – with a new job, raise or promotion!

Putting Invisalign™ “braces on is so easy, simple and totally painless.

Invisalign™ Braces Are Easy To Put On

The best part of using Invisalign™ braces is that you can pop them off if you have a hot date or important business meeting without affecting your treatment. Totally painless, Invisible braces have been a long-time coming.

Call us now on (02) 9363 3388 to get your personal consultation to determine if you can have the nice, straight teeth you’ve always wanted.