Released on: June 8, 2008, 6:01 pm

Press Release Author: The Wealthy Dentist

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Dental labs may be turning out dental prosthetics that are
contaminated with lead, allege recent news reports, and dentists are understandably
worried. In a Wealthy Dentist survey, four out of five dentists said that this issue
definitely requires more research.

Press Release Body: Reports of lead in dental crowns have left dentists
understandably worried. A recent poll by dental marketing website The Wealthy
Dentist revealed that fully 40% of dentists feel that lead in dental work is
definitely not safe, with another 40% feeling that it might be dangerous and
requires more research.

News reports surfaced earlier this year of lead in dental restorations. Though the
scope of this potential public health crisis is not yet clear, shockingly high
levels of lead have been discovered in dental crowns. Chinese dental labs were
initially blamed for the contamination. Recent evidence suggests the problem may be
even more widespread than previously thought, as dental products from labs in the US
and Thailand have also tested positive for lead.

Authorities agree that there is no benefit to having lead in dental work. (In fact,
the acidic environment of the mouth may encourage lead to leach out of the dental
restoration and into the patient\'s bloodstream.) The FDA agrees that there should
not be lead in these restorations, as all components are supposed to be lead-free.
Consequently, no one is certain of the underlying cause for the contamination.

\"Lead in dental casting alloy? Outrageous!\" exclaimed a Colorado dentist. \"There is
no sound reason to have lead in dental restorative materials,\" agreed a Washington
dentist. \"There is no place for lead in dentistry,\" declared a Colorado
orthodontist.

Though the exact risks of lead in dental work are not known, lead itself is a known
toxin. \"Lead is bad for the health,\" said an Ohio dentist. \"Highly synergistic
toxicity, especially with mercury,\" warned a Wisconsin dentist.

Everyone agrees on the need for additional research to determine the scope of this
problem and prevent future problems. \"We should test products and eliminate sources
of contamination,\" suggested a South Dakota dentist.

Some dentists downplay the threat. \"This is no more dangerous than leaded crystal or
the lead in fine china, but research is warranted,\" said a Texas dentist. \"Recent
articles have debunked the worry over the amount of lead in the \'farmed-out\' crowns.
Still, we need to monitor that work,\" agreed a California dentist.

\"We still don\'t know if this is a widespread problem or not,\" said Jim Du Molin,
dental continuing education guru and founder of dental management resource The
Wealthy Dentist. \"This could be a huge public health scandal. Or it could be a minor
issue, easily corrected. What\'s so frustrating right now is not knowing which it
is!\"

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Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com for more surveys in the areas of dental
implants, cosmetic dentistry, edation dentistry, wisdom teeth, braces, and dentures.
Jim Du Molin offers a free weekly newsletter and dental practice management advice.

http://www.thewealthydentist.com/PR/069a-Lead-Dental-Crowns.htm

Web Site: http://www.thewealthydentist.com

Contact Details: Jim Du Molin
The Wealthy Dentist
PO Box 1220
Tiburon CA 94920
415-435-3375