Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Dentistry Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Dental Materials

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Journal

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Dentistry

Amalgam Fillings: Do Dental Patients Have A Right To Informed Consent, Michael A. Royal Mar 1991

Amalgam Fillings: Do Dental Patients Have A Right To Informed Consent, Michael A. Royal

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Recent animal studies have shown significant mercury absorption from dental fillings and resulted in unfavorable media attention. Yet, an FDA advisory committee has found no evidence of Risk to dental patients, and many dentists believe that patients are being unnecessarily alarmed. The paper reviews the history of amalgam fillings through the recent animal studies and concludes that the Risk, whatever it may prove to be, is sufficiently high to warrant permitting patients to choose between amalgam and alternative dental filling materials.