Phasing out dental amalgam in Nigeria: SEDI shows the way forward

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By Isaac Eranga

Benin City: In a bid to phasing out dental amalgam in Nigeria, the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has called for the use of Mercury-free dental restoration  alternatives.

According to SEDI, dental amalgam is a mercury-added product containing about 50% of mercury, forming. Metallic alloy with silver, copper and tin. It is widely used in the restoration of teeth affected by dental caries which is about the most common dental disease worldwide.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Director- Dr. Tom Aneni. According to the statement, "dental amalgam has been available for over 150 years and has the largest life expectancies of all the direct materials used in the restoration of carious teeth. It is easier to use, less expensive and has adequate mechanical and bacteriostatic properties.

"However, in contrast to today's alternative materials which are renowned for being used for minimally invasive treatment, amalgam placement also requires the removal of a significant amount of healthy tooth tissues, which can permanently weaken tooth structure. Furthermore, the mercury  in dental amalgam is toxic to human health and our environment. 

"A significant amount of mercury is estimated to be released to the environment from the use of dental amalgam, according to the World Health Organisation reports.

"Research efforts has focused on alternative materials commonly used today. In addition to not containing mercury, they offer the advantage of requiring less removal of healthy tooth tissue than amalgam so as to better preserve tooth structure.

"We therefore use this medium to call on professional dental organisations and dental schools to inculcate research studies and findings in their programs so as to educate and train dental professionals and students on the use of mercury-free dental restoration alternatives," said the statement.

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