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It is true that a variety of over the counter teeth whitening products are now out in the market. But which should you prefer? Is it the one that is supervised and administered by a professional or the use of the product which you could apply by yourself?
Here are a couple of factors that distinguish the teeth whitening procedure as done at home and as supervised by a dentist.
The strength of the bleaching agent. The over the counter teeth whitening products contain either 10% or 22% of carbamide peroxide or sometimes only 3% hydrogen peroxide. This is to compare with the 43% carbamide peroxide which the professional teeth whitening product encloses.
The right amount of protective measures and precautions. The professional dentist applies another type of gel that protects your teeth from other bleaching means whereas those products which are sold in the market could not assure you of this.
in general teeth whitening does not in any way create damage on your tooth structure, enamel, restoration, or bonding. The process is mainly geared towards arresting the molecules which cause the discoloration on the teeth. Therefore, be sure to have a dentist help you out.
Dental amalgam has been used for over 150 years for the treatment of dental cavities and is
still used, in particular in large cavities due to its excellent mechanical properties and
durability. Dental amalgam is a combination of alloy particles and mercury that contains
about 50% of mercury in the elemental form.
Overall, the use of alternative materials such as composite resins, glass ionomer cements,
ceramics, and gold alloys, is increasing, either due to their aesthetic properties or alleged
health concerns related to the use of dental amalgam.
Whereas the toxicity of mercury has been extensively researched, relatively little is known
about the safety of alternative materials, possibly because some alternatives are relatively new
materials.
Will have to update this post soon.
According to Dentalblogs , the Philadelphia City Council is set to vote on the Mercury in Dentistry Bill which (if it passes) will require dentists to inform patients about the mercury content (50%) of amalgam fillings and that it could be hazardous to their health.
Some research indicates that amalgams with mercury (in excess, probably) can cause hair discoloration, hair loss, gum disease, migraines, memory loss, anxiety, mental lethargy, chronic fatigue, eczema, asthma, kidney disease, backaches, arthritis, and hormone problems. Not to mention Alzheimer�s disease, Parkinson�s disease, MS, ad other neurological disorders, DNA damage, and many others.
So why still use amalgam? It�s less expensive compared to aesthetic restorations. The ADA has already deemed amalgams as safe. But to be on the safe side, many dentists have voluntarily chosen to place only composite resin fillings because of their aesthetic appearance and safety issues.
Governments in Maine, New Hampshire, and California are also considering similar laws.
Amalgam, mercury, safety
Image Source: Theodoregrey
Yep, apparently the debate on the safety of dental amalgam is still ongoing. This time, it is The European Commission that has launched a consultation process which will run until February 22, 2008 that will focus on two scientific opinions regarding dental amalgam and its alternatives.
Presenting the two views:
Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) made a preliminary report attempting to answer the question, �Are dental amalgam and alternative dental restoration materials safe for patients and users?� The results of the study were released on November 29, 2007. The conclusion is that amalgam is an effective restorative material and is deemed quite safe to be considered as the material of choice for some restorations. Incidences of adverse effects of amalgam and its materials are low and readily managed. Amalgam does not pose a risk to health apart from allergic reactions.
The Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) also made a preliminary report released on November 29, 2007. This study however focuses more on the environmental risks and indirect health effects of mercury in dental amalgam. The committee concludes that certain environmental risks exist in the involvement of the use of amalgam. Most of these are related to indirect exposure of humans to methylmercury. Although said risks are lower than tolerable limits, and therefore making them a low risk for more serious health effects, the issue of safety is still a matter of debate. Existing information is too limited to assess the environmental risks and indirect health effects. After all, Methylmercury is the most toxic type of mercury. Further study is still needed on this as available information on toxic effects of alternatives is still very limited to hold a proper comparative assessment.
Source: Cybermed
The European Commission
