FDA Settles Suit about Mercury Dental Fillings

Patients may be asking about the risks associated with mercury dental fillings after the FDA settled a lawsuit with several consumer groups who are concerned about mercury.

Mercury vapor can be released during removal and placement of fillings, as well as by chewing. Pregnant women and people with high levels of mercury who have cavities "should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner," says the FDA's updated website on dental amalgams. The FDA recommends against consumers having existing mercury fillings removed. 

The American Dental Association said in a statement that the settlement "does not call for restrictions on the use of amalgam in any particular population group," and that the association "believes that dental amalgam remains a safe, affordable and durable cavity filling choice for dental patients."

An FDA spokesman told Reuters that it expects to release a more specific rule about dental amalgams by July 2009