Many anti-amalgamists state that amalgam has been banned in foreign countries [1] notably Sweden [2,3] and Germany [4]. Even a respected research newsletter has stated that amalgam "is or will be banned in Germany and Sweden." Actually, the use of amalgam fillings is not banned in Germany or Sweden [5] or any other country in the European Union [6]. In countries in the European Union, including both Sweden and Germany, dental amalgam filling material is governed by the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC [7]. An Ad Hoc Working Group of experts from the countries of the European Union issued a report on dental amalgam in 1998. After an extensive review of the available literature, the group concluded that there was no scientific evidence of systemic health problems (other than rare cases of allergy) or toxic effects from dental amalgam and it did not recommend any special reservations on its use [8]. Sweden and Germany not only implemented these recommendations but also participated in their development [6].
There are no recommendations or restrictions for health reasons on the use of dental amalgam in Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, or the United Kingdom [6]. There are general recommendations advising restriction in certain situations (eg, in children and/or pregnant women) for use and removal of dental amalgam in Austria, Germany, and Sweden. In each of these countries, the recommendations are slightly different. In Norway, Sweden, and to a certain extent Finland, adverse effects that can be related to any dental materials are to be reported to the appropriate government agency.
Health restrictions should be distinguished from environmental regulations. The Swedish Parliament, in a legally nonbinding resolution, recommended against the use of dental amalgam for environmental reasons after January 1, 1997. Denmark, Finland, and Belgium have also made environmental recommendations restricting the use of dental amalgam [6].
In 1997, the German Ministry of Health published a consensus report of various German dental and medical associations [9]. This report stated that the choice of restorative material should be made by individual dentists and their patients. Although the report recommended against the use of amalgam in certain situations, it also stated, "Alternatives to amalgam should only be recommended if sufficient knowledge concerning the safety of the alternatives for the individual is available.The dentist is responsible for the individual 'right choice' of the material." The Swedish Medical Research Council issued a similar statement in 1992, stating that there was no evidence of systemic health risks from amalgam fillings and there was no justification to discontinue the use of dental amalgam fillings or recommend their replacement in Sweden [10]. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's expert committee declared amalgam safe and effective in 1994 [11].
If amalgam were ever banned in a foreign country, that would not necessarily be sufficient reason to ban it in the United States. The sale, import, and manufacture of chewing gum are banned in Singapore [12]. Private health insurance is banned in Canada [13]. Most American films are effectively banned on television in France to protect the French film industry [14]. It would be senseless to institute these bans in the United States simply because they have been instituted in a foreign country. Laws such as these are often passed more for political than for scientific reasons.
It is time for the resurrection and redemption of dental amalgam. The facts of amalgam should be distinguished from the folklore of anti-amalgam opinion. The clinical performance of amalgam restorations is remarkable. Teeth with amalgam restorations have a low incidence of cusp fracture and recurrent decay. Amalgam restorations have been shown to last longer than composite restorations and can now be bonded to teeth. In addition, amalgam restorations can often be repaired. Amalgam bonding and other advances should be considered when studies on the clinical longevity of amalgam restorations are reviewed.
By most measures of clinical performance, other than appearance, amalgam is unsurpassed by resin composite for the restoration of posterior teeth. As scientific and clinical advances are made, it is possible this will change and other materials will become available. In the meantime, dentists can be confident in recommending amalgam restorations as an excellent choice in many clinical situations.
Dr. Wahl practices dentistry in Wilmington, Delaware. This article was originally published in Quintessence International 32:525-535, 2001 and is reproduced here with the kind permission of Quintessence Publishing Co. The author also thanks Drs. J. Rodway Mackert, Ivar A. Mjör, and Fred Eichmiller for reading the manuscript and offering several helpful suggestions.