Dental amalgam and mercury myths

Stansbury, Bowman, and Newman reply: The amalgam health risks were described as “perceived” while the environmental risks were termed “real” to convey that the former lacks credible scientific evidence to support health concerns for dental patients receiving amalgam restorations. We are in full agreement with Berol Robinson in that regard. There is a legitimate health concern for dentists and their clinical and clerical staffs who potentially are exposed to chronic low levels of mercury vapor. However, we teach our dental students the precautions necessary to mitigate that exposure and that as dentists they can reassure their patients that an amalgam filling poses no significant health risk.