dental amalgam
Mercury Amalgam News Roundup
Last fall, we cheered the EPA’s proposed amalgam separator rule. The ADA’s response, on the other hand, was weirdly guarded. You’d think they’d be all for a rule “based largely,” they said, “on the Association’s best management practices, including the use of amalgam separators.” Heck, they even “consulted with the EPA as it developed the […]
At Last! EPA Releases Its Proposed Amalgam Separator Rule
Another important step toward a mercury-free future was taken last week: The EPA formally proposed its long-awaited rule on mercury discharges from dental offices. It would require dentists “to cut their dental amalgam discharges to a level achievable through the use of the best available technology (amalgam separators); and the use of other Best Management […]
A Pearl of an Anniversary: Gone Mercury-Free
There’s an important anniversary coming up – important to us and our office and patients, at least. As of this November, it will have been 30 years since Dr. Glaros placed a mercury amalgam filling. Several months after that fateful day, Dr. Glaros described his transition to mercury-free dentistry in our newsletter – along with […]
Most Americans Agree: You Shouldn’t Call Them “Silver” Fillings
Talk about a “Golden Delicious apple,” and everyone understands that the name refers to the fruit’s color, not its composition. Talk about “ruby red grapefruit,” and the situation’s the same. Talk about “silver fillings,” though, and things get a little more complicated. After all, a metal like gold or a precious stone like a ruby […]
Why a Total Ban of Mercury Amalgam Is Needed
Passage of the global mercury treaty now known as the Minamata Convention was an amazing achievement. It’s not even close to perfect, of course. Perhaps its most significant shortcoming is that it doesn’t require an actual phase-out of dental amalgam. The way it’s written, as we’ve noted before, a country doesn’t need to take any […]
Dental Mercury: Indefensible
Though more and more dentists are saying no to mercury amalgam fillings, the material still has plenty of defenders. It’s sad. And frustrating. And understandable. After all, we humans can be extraordinarily resistant to change, and going mercury-free requires a lot of it. Swapping out one material for another is just the beginning. Composite is […]
From GMOs to Mercury, Change Is Change
Like many, we were really pleased to hear the news earlier this year that General Mills was going GMO-free with Cheerios – one of its top brands. The difference-maker? Consumer pressure, especially through social media – people just like us voicing their opposition to genetically engineered food, demanding better. Of course, it’s only original Cheerios […]