In the interest of improved wellness and health I'm considering replacing my amalgam fillings with a non-metalic filling(composite)( I need to have some replaced anyways so while I'm there I thought I should go ahead and do then all)( 8 ). I've come across alot of anecdotal evidence that justifies this proceedure but there is still alot of debate amongst the scientific community on this topic. Many dentists support this thinking but just as many don't. Therefore I seek any personal experiences had by others in this area. Thanx

Mikeb,

I replied to you in the other section that you wrote in. This is an interesting subject in which not everyone agrees. For me, mercury-silver dental amalgams are not safe. Others will say that they are safe.

It's amazing how one's personal experience has a strong influence on shaping our lives. Until it has personally affected us, we often don't believe.

I wonder how many people are affected by this, and still don't realize it? How many people just live with their headaches, urinary problems, back aches, chest pains, joint & muscle pain etc., without realizing that for some people that they could get well?

The answers for all of this is still not completely clear, but worldwide research continues. And as you say, there's lots of anecdotal evidence that make us question whether putting one of the most toxic substances known to man in our dental amalgams is really safe.

Here are a few studies/articles (abstracts only) that discuss the issue of mercury release from dental amalgams. You can read through them and form your own conclusions regarding the safety of dental amalgams.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11720018&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11603820&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11516521&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11462117&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11385194&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11032131&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10901730&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10765962&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10673659&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10581685&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10544153&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9823089&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9707169&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9658238&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9649170&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9638609&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9600806&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9381508&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9509800&dopt=Abstract

This is just a sampling of what is available on Medline. From the above it can be concluded that mercury is in fact released from amalgam fillings. The question that remains is what is a safe level of mercury exposure? Nearly every one of the above articles was from a country other than the US or Canada. Almost every study from the US or Canada that I read tended to downplay any risks of mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings. As an example, here is a review from the ADA:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9573704&dopt=Abstract

Alan

I had all of mine removed and feel much better. To me it makes sense that mercury is toxic to the body. You just have to read all the research and make your own decision.