Statement by ADA on court's ruling on dental amalgam fillings

The American Dental Association (ADA) welcomes Friday's ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia stating that the court cannot force the Food and Drug Administration to tighten restrictions on the use of dental amalgam fillings.

“Some activist groups, relying on faulty science, tried to use the court system to force the FDA to deprive the nation's dentists and the patients that they serve of a safe and inexpensive option for treating dental decay,” said Dr. Kathleen Roth, president of the American Dental Association. “The ADA and numerous other health and consumer organizations worldwide have said for many years that dental amalgam is a safe and effective filling material.”

Dental amalgam is made of silver, copper, tin, zinc and mercury. Together, these metals form a stable alloy that has been used for generations to fill dental cavities. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness. Depending on treatment needs, it is one material available to dentists and patients when considering restorative options.

The ADA supports ongoing research in the development of new materials. However, the Association continues to believe that amalgam is a valuable, viable and safe choice for dental patients.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 155,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at