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Comment by corty | Hacker News Reader

And there are other neurotoxic compounds still in common use, such as mercury-aluminium-amalgam for cheap dental work. That would also confound all the simple studies. I'm afraid there can't be a firm conclusion without an in-depth study of heavy metal prevalence in bloodstream and bones vs. criminal behavior. Just plotting sales figures of leaded gas vs. murder rates doesn't say anything. Any more elaborate study is of course smaller and more expensive, so won't be done as easily.

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Very few dentists in USA use amalgam, and certainly not on patients who don't already have amalgam such as children. The moment one orders amalgam one starts getting letters from EPA inquiring about the status of one's very expensive evacuation air amalgam separator. (It's true that everything dentists buy is expensive, but that's not a reason to seek out something else to have to buy.) Properly applied composite fillings have retention nearly as good as amalgam, and of course much better appearance.

My insurance only covers amalgam. If that is common, then those without the means to pay the difference are likely to end up with amalgam.

In practice, that's a way to reduce claims rather than a way to encourage a particular filling material.

I think this is absolutely correct because very few dental offices still perform amalgam fillings at all.

I have amalgam fillings from about 2010 because the dentist didn't offer me composite. My new dentist does only do composite.

Another downside to amalgam fillings is that they require more drilling (and thus more tooth removal) than composite fillings.

they still use that? even when it's a known neurotoxin?

I had the impression (although I can't remember where from) that amalgam fillings were surprisingly benign.

They're small, leach surprisingly little, and what they do leach is in a form that isn't readily bio-available.

Which isn't to say they're completely harmless, just not so bad as you might expect.

Your impression is correct. The mercury is quite chemically bound.

The caveat is that when it is removed, it may not be so bound.

makes sense thanks for sharing

The alternative to amalgam is commonly composite fillings which are BPA.

There is still gold and ceramics. But both are of course more expensive.

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