Several nonprofit groups, including the Clean Water Action Committee, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club’s National Toxics Committee have petitioned the State Department to take a proactive role in compelling the FDA to begin reducing the use of mercury amalgam dental fillings. This petition is in response to the FDA’s slow compliance with the 2013 international treaty signed at the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The impetus for the 2013 treaty was largely an effort to curb the release of toxic mercury waste from amalgam fillings into the environment. This waste is often dumped into our waterways, where it accumulates in fish and enters the food chain. One study found that 28.5 tons of mercury dental waste has been dumped into the environment.
However, there is another important reason the FDA should take steps to phase out the use of mercury amalgam materials in dental fillings. For years, there has been mounting evidence that mercury fillings can present health risks to patients, potentially causing serious illnesses. In spite of this evidence, the FDA has been hesitant to take a stance on the issue, claiming that curbing the use of mercury amalgam fillings would make these treatments too expensive for the poor.
All dental fillings used by Dr. Fleschler are made of a composite resin material that contains no mercury or metal products. These composite resin fillings also provide you with aesthetic benefits. They mimic the color of your natural teeth and blend in seamlessly with your smile.
If you need to repair a cavity, please contact Dr. Heather Fleschler using the form at the right side of the page or call (713) 660-6500 today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in the Houston, Texas areas of West University, River Oaks, Bellaire, and Meyerland.
