KING JAMES MEDICAL LABORATORY, INC.

FEATURING OMEGATECH^â

CAN MERCURY-SILVER FILLINGS CAUSE DISEASE?

The accepted practice of most American dentists for several generations has been to treat tooth decay by "drilling and filling" using "silver fillings." Silver fillings are actually a mixture of silver, copper, tin, and zinc amalgamated (dissolved) with mercury. The amount of mercury in these composites is approximately 50%. Older fillings may have an even greater percentage of mercury.

Mercury is more poisonous than any other metal except Plutonium. Although the safety of dental filling material containing mercury has been debated in dental circles since the 1800’s, the official opinion of the American Dental Association is that when mercury is combined with other metals and used in dental amalgam fillings, the toxic properties of mercury are rendered harmless. There exists a growing awareness among health care practitioners and researchers that this is not the case and that a significant amount of mercury is released by these fillings to cause health problems, especially in susceptible individuals. Research has demonstrated that mercury vapor is continuously released from amalgam fillings in measurable quantities from the moment fillings are inserted into teeth. Mercury is inhaled, swallowed and absorbed directly in the mouth. [See: Vimy, MJ & Lorscheider, FL, J. Trace Elem. Exper. Med. 3:111(1990), Skare I, Enqvist A, Arch.Env.Hlth. 49:384(1994) and Lorscheider FL, et al. FASEB J. 9:504(1995)] In his book "It’s All in Your Head-Diseases Caused by Silver-Mercury Fillings", Hal Huggins, D.D.S. describes his breakthrough work establishing that mercury is released from compounds that are toxic and that these compounds can produce illness. Sequential amalgam removal can result in remission of the illness.

The mercury present in the filling is not the only problem with dental fillings. A phenomenon called "electrogalvanism," or electricity in the mouth is also a problem. This phenomenon is created when dissimilar metals are present in the mouth, such as mercury amalgam mixtures and gold, resulting in an electric current being established in the mouth. This phenomenon can cause electrochemical reactions to take place, analogous to the electroplating reactions used in the production of jewelry. Additionally, food and other organic debris trapped in between teeth can be used by bacteria as a food source. One of the byproducts of the bacteria is acid, which can directly affect the teeth as well as contribute to the electrochemical reaction of the fillings. The result is a "battery-like" effect, which can release mercury from the fillings and, potentially, cause a direct electrical stimulus to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands.

Studies have linked mercury exposure from the environment with a number and variety of illnesses including allergies, chronic fatigue, depression, GI disorders, immune systems suppression, periodontal disease, neurological problems, reproductive disorders, birth defects, kidney disease, heart problems, hypertension, respiratory disorders and skin disease. Mercury can interfere with any process or organ in the body, since it is poisonous to all cells, but it has a marked effect on the immune system. This has been shown by research indicating the presence of mercury amalgam fillings in the mouth reducing the immune system efficiency by one-third to one-half. If a person has a chronic health problem for which a cause has not be found and mercury fillings are present in the mouth, mercury toxicity may be a contributing factor.

To test whether an individual’s mercury levels may be the cause of the problem, one can use the compound 2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA) to chelate (bind to) mercury in a provocative oral dose. Analyzing mercury in a collection of urine over the subsequent six (6) hours can give an indication of the mercury burden of the body tissues. Additionally, chronic exposure to mercury can be detected in the hair[See: Katz SA, Katz RB, J. Appl. Tox. 1279(1992)].

Care must be given during the process employed in the removal of the mercury containing fillings and should be done by a qualified dentist. Large-scale unprotected removal can generate new illness or make the chronic condition worse if these precautions are not followed. Amalgams should be removed according to a sequence determined by their electrical potential. The physical removal process must also guard against exposure of the patient (as well as the dentist) to the mercury dust and vapors of the drilling process. Remember that the American Dental Association is very reluctant to acknowledge the toxicity of mercury amalgam fillings and that many dentists may not be fully aware of the special handling steps necessary in the removal process.

Along with replacing the fillings, it is important for the patient to work with a physician who can help in the process of removal of mercury from the body. The chelating agent, DMSA can be administered orally to facilitate the removal of mercury from tissue (organ) storage sites. It is best used in conjunction with the removal of mercury amalgam fillings. Additionally, nutrient supplementation is an integral part of the recovery process providing the body with the tools needed to correct and compensate for the toxicity of the metal in the body. [See Goyer,R.A., et al., Environmental Health Perspectives, 103:1048(1995)]

DMSA

What is DMSA? DMSA is an abbreviation for 2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid. It is also marketed under the trade names "Chemet" and "Succimer." It is a FDA approved drug for treatment of lead toxicity in children. DMSA is also an excellent oral chelating agent for removing mercury from the body. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and removes toxic mercury from the brain and other body tissues. [See Aaseth, J. et al., Analyst, 120:853(1995)]

What is the Urine Mercury Test? A provocative dose of DMSA is provided by the lab along with a container for a 6-hour urine collection. When the analysis of the urine indicates significant levels of mercury are present, it is a signal that the body tissue levels are high.

What happens if the test result indicates high levels of mercury? If the mercury level is high, a prescription for DMSA can be given in conjunction with the removal of the source(s) of mercury contamination. There are usually 25 capsules (500 mg each) in a prescription and one pill is taken three times a week for about 2 months.

What happens after the course of DMSA is concluded? It is recommended that a dentist knowledgeable in the proper procedure of amalgam filling removal be consulted within one month and mercury amalgam fillings be replaced with composite or gold. A dentist experienced in amalgam removal can be found be contacting either The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (407-298-2450) or The Academy of Biological Dentistry (408-659-5385).

What happens if mercury amalgam fillings are not replaced? Although it is emphatically recommended that mercury amalgam fillings be properly replaced, if this is not done or is postponed, it is predictable that tissue levels of mercury in the body will build up again as mercury is constantly released from the teeth. In such cases, periodically repeating urine mercury testing and a course of DMSA chelation therapy is recommended.

Can DMSA be taken the day of and day after dental work involving mercury amalgam in order to remove any "stray" amalgam (mercury) from the body? Yes.

How is the DMSA obtained? The doctor will give the patient a prescription, then fax your prescription to a compounding pharmacy and give the patient a phone number to contact the pharmacy. The patient will need to contact the pharmacy directly with method of payment. The pharmacy will then air mail the DMSA to you.

Is it possible to present the prescription through prescription insurance plans or at another pharmacy? Retail pharmacies dispense the brand name "Chemet" form of DMSA in 1/5 the potency recommended. The compounding pharmacy provides the DMSA in a generic form that is substantially less costly than the Chemet. If Chemet is used, 5 times the amount needs to be taken. Insurance coverage may be applicable to compounding pharmacies; check with the pharmacy when you confirm the order.

Are there any side effects to using DMSA? There are usually little, if any, side effects to DMSA at the recommended dose. However, in some cases, as the body rids itself of the mercury, there could be some detoxification symptoms that might occur. If this is the case, the temporary ill effects of those symptoms are far less of a problem than the permanent ill effect of high levels of mercury in the tissue.

What kind of improvement should be noted using the DMSA? Most commonly, as the mercury is removed from the system, people will notice an improvement in short-term memory, sharper concentration, and a decrease in "foggy" thinking.

More information about mercury? See: Frackelton JP, Christensen, RL, "Mercury poisoning and its potential impact on hormone regulation and aging: Preliminary clinical observations using a new therapeutic approach," J. Advan. Med. 11:9-25(1998) and the HOT LINKS section of this web site.

Call the lab at (800)437-1404 to arrange for the submission of a specimen or for more details.

Send mail to webmaster@kingjamesomegatech-lab.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1997 King James Medical Laboratory, Inc.
Last modified: July 10, 1998