Centre for Distinctive Dentistry Blog - Dr. Ned Nippoldt

The potential adverse affects of exposure to bispnoal A (BPA) is a hot topic in the media today. Recent reports have indicated that certain dental products, particularly some dental sealants and tooth-colored fillings, can potentially break-down and expose patients to BPA.

As a dentist, my concern is the safety of my patients, and I want to reassure patients that I do not use any dental materials containing BPA. Some of our dental materials do contain the compound Bisphenol A diglycidyl ethyl methacrytlate (BisGMA). Although the two compounds sound similar, they are not. In fact, studies of BisGMA show that it is both safe and stable for use in patients' mouths.

The Centre for Distinctive Dentistry is also concerned about the future of our environment. As such, we voluntarily participate in the Amalgam Recovery Program, which filters the waste water in the operatories to remove any mercury-silver amalgam removed from patient's mouths so that the toxic chemical mercury is not released into the environment. While I do not personally place mercury-silver amalgam in my patient's mouths, I often remove failed silver fillings that contain mercury. I have made a conscious decision to do so in a manner that is safe for the environment.

I welcome you to contact the Centre for Distinctive Dentistry at 651-739-8573 with any questions you may have regarding our concern for the health and safety of our dental patients and the environment in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, MN, and Hudson, WI, area.

Labels: fillings, Patient safety