News Release
HOUSTON, Texas — The FDA took an important step forward last month when they issued new guidance on dental amalgam – the material used to make “silver” fillings. Despite their name, however, the fillings are about 50% mercury.
That neurotoxic metal does not stay locked in the filling but is released over time. Some may be excreted, but some is absorbed by organs such as the brain.
Because of this, the FDA now advises against its use in pregnant and nursing women, women who plan on getting pregnant, children, and people with pre-existing neurological conditions, impaired kidney function, or sensitivities to mercury or other components of amalgam.
“A proud day has arrived,” said Dr. Dawn Ewing, executive director of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, a professional association that has been the vanguard of nontoxic, whole body dentistry since its founding by California dentists Dr. Ed Arana and Dr. Gary Verigin in 1985.
“I can remember when several states had ‘gag orders’,” she continued. “Their state boards did NOT want dentists making any comments about amalgams. They didn’t want to admit that there might be a problem, even for some people. One of our early members, Dr. Andy Landerman, lost his license in California for refusing to place amalgam restorations. He passed away several years ago. All I can think of is how sweet it must be for him – and dentists like him – to look down and see that he was right. We are grateful for those brave souls!”
https://iabdm.org/wp-content/uploads/5905_n-meyer.png Past President Dr. Bill Glaros agreed, “I have been grateful to be a part of this organization, celebrating a common path – the path toward a dentistry that acknowledges the role conditions in the mouth play on overall health. The FDA’s latest action would not have been possible without the work of our amazing members – and, of course, the tireless efforts of people like Charlie Brown through Consumers for Dental Choice and the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry.”
“Charlie has carried the flag for all of us,” added physician Dr. John Parks Trowbridge, who has also served as a president of the https://iabdm.org/wp-content/uploads/5905_n-meyer.png and is the group’s current medical advisor. “His tireless work produces impressive and lasting results every single year. The path is long and steep, but he – and we – are getting closer to ultimate success for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren: a future where dental amalgam is nothing but a bad memory!”
About the https://iabdm.org/wp-content/uploads/5905_n-meyer.png: The International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine is a network of dentists, physicians and allied health professionals committed to integrating body, mind, spirit and mouth in caring for the whole person. It was founded in 1985 to teach and promote a more informed dentistry – one that fully accounts for the systemic nature of health and illness, and the body’s self-regulating ability. To learn more, visit iabdm.org.
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For more information about International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine, contact the company here:
International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine
Dawn Ewing
281-251-4411
What do you think about the removal of wisdom teeth
The Academy doesn’t have a specific recommendation at this time – only that, if wisdom teeth are to be removed, the periodontal ligament should be removed, as well.
Dear Sir
I would like to know how to learn more about biological dentistry as a dentist
We offer a course in Biological Dentistry Essentials, which would be a great place to start. For information on enrolling, email Dr. Dawn Ewing at drdawn@drdawn.net.
You can also get a bit of an overview by reading our Standards of Practice, which are available here: https://iabdm.org/about-iabdm/iabdm-standards-practice/
Hi ! I am a Costa Rican dentist I will like to send the FDA document ,about the use of amalgam, to my coleagues. It would be great if you have it here in this web site.
Hi, Natalie! You’ll find the FDA’s updated guidance here: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/recommendations-about-use-dental-amalgam-certain-high-risk-populations-fda-safety-communication
You wrote: if wisdom teeth are to be removed, the periodontal ligament should be removed. Can you explain why? Thanks.
You’ll find this discussed in some detail in our position paper on root canal treated teeth: https://iabdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iabdm_rct_position_paper.pdf
What about removal of mercury fillings and breastfeeding women? Can they have them removed while nursing?
Women should wait until they are no longer breastfeeding before having amalgam fillings removed. Similarly, women who are pregnant should wait until after pregnancy.
Root canal treatment I found to be a ploy to get me to continuously receive care from the dentist. It turns out, the tooth was very slightly superficially cracked on one side and didn’t penetrate the tooth. She recommended a root canal. Not knowing any better, I obliged. They did 2 visits for the root canal over the course of 5-6 weeks. I had pain for the entire time after the first part was done. I sought second opinions and without seeing a CBCT scan 3 dentists strongly believed the dentist performing the root canal cracked my root. When I went back and begged for another CBCT scan, I was refused and she said she does great work. After the 2nd portion, I was in pain for 8+ months before I was taken seriously by her because I had seen other dentists getting their opinions and they actually called her up explaining my desperation and the situation. The root canal dentist confirmed my root was cracked but blamed it on me at this point. When I requested my full patient records, including patient notes, she had noted that I was annoying and persistent complaining about pain that didn’t exist. I didn’t ask for pain medicine once and only asked to know what was going on so we can fix it. I was a full cash paying patient so it’s not like I couldn’t pay for any of this or have her worry about insurance declining things. I pain in full at the beginning of any procedure. She cracked my root and the tooth then had to be extracted. The extraction today was very rough as he literally slammed the wrench like tools against my front teeth really hard so that I screamed in pain and lost my headband. He also slipped and punched my cheek. Needless to say, he hit other teeth although to a lesser degree. I felt little pieces of hard stuff in my mouth afterwards and fished them out. I’m pretty sure they’re pieces of teeth or pierces of composite fillings I just had done 2 weeks ago.
All of this could’ve been easily prevented with a full overlay filling instead of recommending all of these very expensive procedures (each CBCT scan was $475, the exams for consultations were $175, root canal was $3,200, temporary crown was $1300, extraction and grafting was $1100 with $150 consultation and another $300 for an exam by a regular dentist to make the referral, the implant rod will be $3800-4000, and the abutment and crown will add another $3000-6000.
This is all for 1 single tooth that had a very superficial crack in it. It should be noted that the tooth is a baby tooth that never fell out so it’s expected the remaining baby teeth not to do so great after 30+ years. Plus, teeth become worn all the time! That doesn’t warrant all of the procedures I’ve had to go through! I didn’t know that there were other options until I started to lose my mind due to the worsening pain and frustration. I only started to really read about the reality of things and the excessive work dentists often do because it keeps the patient coming back and they can make more money. I trusted them as healthcare professionals & didn’t think of them as tradespeople who don’t always perform ok work and have variable rates (think of a plumber).
Do not get a root canal under any circumstances. It will destroy over 1.5 years of your life. My saga is still going on and is expected to go on for at least another year making it close to 3 years.
I have a mouth full of amalgam fillings. I am done having children so I’ve considered beginning the process of switching them out. However, I’ve read and received mixed reviews on whether or not to do them before they fall out or break on their own. I’ve read that the act of having them removed causes more exposure to the damage of the mercury vs. just waiting until they break or fall out on their own. What do you recommend?
If amalgams are removed without following proper safety procedures, then, yes, mercury exposure can be significant – for the dental team as well as the patient. That’s why, if you choose to have your amalgams removed and replaced with biocompatible restorations, you should see a dentist who is well versed in our PROTECT Protocol, as all of our certified member dentists are.
You can learn more about the protocol here: https://iabdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ProtectProtocol-brochure.pdf. The information is also reviewed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fAb5OGs6JY
Our directory will help you find a Certified Biological Dentist near you: http://findabiologicaldentist.com
How can I find a dentist in Houston who has a lot of experience in removing mercury fillings and does it with the right safety protocol? Is there a good list somewhere?
Just search our directory for a Certified Biological Dentist near you: https://iabdm.org/location. (Certification indicates that they have received training from us covering the philosophy and essential practices of biological dentistry, including safe mercury removal, dental ozone, nutrition, energetic connections, homeopathy, and more.)
Thank you so much for this website a.d this organization! I have greatly struggled with oral health my entire 33 years. I always said that I wish there were holistic dentists… Saw a blog post about biological dentistry and immediately found your site and the one certified dentist in my state! Already have two appointments set up! Looking forward to finally fixing my poor teeth.