The debate surrounding the controversial plastic bisphenol A (Bis-A) has now also reached dentistry: saliva enzymes dissolve Bis-A from some dental plastics (so-called composites) - during filling therapy and up to four hours afterwards. This was reported by the scientific information service "Zahnmedizin Report" in its October issue. Although the advantages of these dental resins outweigh the absorption of Bis-A, fillings with Bis-A-containing resins should not be applied during pregnancy, say scientists.



Harmful effect of bisphenol-A on growing life?

Bisphenol-A and other related molecules are suspected, among other things, of having a damaging effect on growing life. Hormone-like effects are known: The chemical has effects like the female sex hormone oestrogen. Following the ban on the chemical in some countries such as Canada and Denmark and a warning from the Federal Environment Agency about possible health damage, environmental associations are calling for a ban on the chemical in products that could come into contact with babies and small children.



Even though only derivatives, especially Bis-GMA and Bis-DMA, are used in some dental composites, traces of Bis-A can still be detected in the mouth three hours after a filling has been placed. This is according to scientists at Harvard University, who examined toxicological data from the past ten years to investigate the use of dental materials containing bisphenol in children.



The US scientists give a cautious all-clear: dentists can continue to use composites. The overwhelming benefits of these dental resins outweigh the uptake of Bis-A, they say. However, they advise dentists to use composites with the ingredient Bis-GMA, which is probably less easily dissolved by saliva and has fewer estrogenic effects than Bis-DMA. As a further precautionary measure, the US researchers urge that Bis-A-based resins should not be used during pregnancy[1].



The Regensburg scientist Prof. Dr. Gottfried Schmalz argued similarly at the renowned AADR Congress 2010 in Washington D.C.: In his opinion, the risk posed by bisphenol in dentistry is acceptable according to current knowledge. [2] Nevertheless, manufacturers should provide better information about the chemical structures and look for alternatives. Turkish scientists had already found numerous undeclared ingredients in an analysis of composites in 2008. [3]



Source: Dentistry Report 10/2010 - www.zahnmedizin-report.de

[1] A F Fleisch et al: Bisphenol A and Related Compounds in Dental Materials. Pediatrics (2010), published online September 6, 2010

[2] G Schmalz: Bisphenol A in Dentistry - an Unacceptable Biological Risk? AADR Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., March 3-6, 2010

[3] Numerous undocumented acrylates and residues in composites. Dentistry Report No. 11/2008, p. 2



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