| Medical Journal Publishes Article on BPA and Dental Materials An article about bisphenol A and dental materials published in the medical journal Pediatrics received widespread media coverage. See stories by USA Today and MSNBC which quote an ADA spokesperson. ADA News has a brief story about the article and the Council on Scientific Affairs' statement on BPA is also available on ADA.org. Dental materials with bis-GMA and/or bis-DMA may contain trace amounts of BPA as a byproduct of the manufacturing process. Additionally, according to the Pediatrics article, resin-based dental materials containing bis-DMA can break down into BPA after coming in contact with enzymes in saliva, but materials made with bis-GMA do not undergo this reaction. Most FDA approved dental materials are made with bis-GMA. If you are unsure if the materials you use contain bis-DMA or bis-GMA, refer to the MSDS or your dental supply company. BPA from dental sealants may be detected in saliva in minute amounts. How much, if any, BPA is absorbed by the body and whether that has an effect on human health is not known. BPA can be detected for up to three hours after sealants are placed, then levels quickly drop off. According to the authors of the article, the benefits of dental sealants outweigh the potential risk of a brief BPA exposure. Dental materials are far less likely to cause BPA exposure than other consumer goods such as plastic bottles and linings of metal cans. While the ADA believes that the current evidence does not indicate a health risk related to the use of resin-based sealants and composites, if your patients ask if there are "BPA free" sealants, you can discuss glass ionomers; however, ionomers are less effective in caries prevention than resin-based sealants, as noted in the evidence-based clinical recommendations on pit and fissure sealants ADA.org/3135.aspx. Based on the recent news coverage of dental materials and BPA, your patients may ask you about the safety and effectiveness of dental materials. Below are some points that may be helpful in discussing this issue with your patients: - Dental sealants and composites have been used for many years. Sealants prevent tooth decay and composites are tooth colored dental fillings.
- Resin-based sealants and composites are made from plastic. Some types of plastic have been in the news lately because of a chemical called BPA, a chemical that acts like estrogen. Some studies with laboratory animals suggest a disruption in normal hormone activity. This has led to speculation about the effect of BPA on humans.
- An article that was just published in a medical journal assessed various existing studies on dental materials and BPA. A low level of BPA may be present in the saliva a few hours after placement of resin-based sealants, but based on current evidence, the American Dental Association believes that this low level and brief exposure time poses no known health risk.
- Trace amounts of BPA may be present as a byproduct of the manufacturing process or with certain sealants (those with bis DMA) after coming in contact with enzymes in saliva.
- The one-time exposure to BPA from sealants is about 200 times lower than the daily level EPA considers safe. Dental materials are far less likely to cause BPA exposure than other consumer goods such as plastic bottles and linings of metal cans.
- The researchers say sealants and composites should continue to be used because of their proven benefits which outweigh potential risks of BPA. The researchers also say that BPA exposure can be reduced if a newly-placed sealant or composite filling is rinsed or wiped.
- I have composite dental fillings, and my children have had dental sealants. [if this is true, you may want to mention this to your patients].
- As your dentist, I want to answer any questions you may have about your dental treatment. You can also visit the American Dental Association's Web site at ADA.org for more information.
Here are links to copyright-free Journal of the American Dental Association patient pages on dental sealants and tooth colored fillings that you can download, copy and distribute to your patients:
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