Two groups—the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions (DAMS Inc.)—have submitted a petition urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban mercury-containing dental fillings.
Also known as silver fillings or dental amalgam, the material contains approximately 50 per cent mercury by weight. The groups described their petition, announced Wednesday, as a joint effort to eliminate what they called “the most common source of mercury exposure” in the U.S. population.
The IAOMT and DAMS Inc. argue that mercury is a cumulative neurotoxin and poses particular health risks to vulnerable groups.
The push to ban dental amalgam isn’t new.
Last year, the European Union adopted a regulation banning mercury fillings as of Jan. 1, 2025. The ban is part of the EU’s broader Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aims to limit exposure to pollutants such as microplastics, pesticides and mercury.
According to Tilly Metz, a member of the European Parliament involved in the legislation, the ban is expected to prevent the release of about 10 tonnes of mercury into the environment by 2030.
In response to the ban, the British Dental Association (BDA) warned it could have significant consequences for the U.K.’s already strained dental system, including higher costs and longer treatment times, as amalgam remains the most commonly used material for permanent fillings under the National Health Service (NHS).
However, the groups believe it’s time to follow the EU’s path.
“It is time to complete the process and ban mercury fillings outright, aligning with global standards set by the European Union and numerous other countries who have already banned amalgam fillings,” said Dr. Jack Kall, executive chair of IAOMT. “The health risks associated with mercury fillings have prompted a global shift toward safer alternatives, and the United States should follow suit to protect public health.”
Mercury banned in number of products
In the past few decades, the U.S. federal government has banned mercury in a number of products, including paint, antiseptics, nasal sprays, ear drops, some medications and, most recently, vaccines—effective June 26, 2025.
In 2020, the FDA issued guidance advising against the use of mercury fillings in the following high-risk populations:
- Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Nursing mothers
- Children, especially under age six
- Individuals with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
- People with kidney impairment
- Anyone with a known sensitivity to mercury or its components
Dental associations weigh in on amalgam use
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the continued use of dental amalgam, citing scientific evidence that it is a safe, effective and long-lasting restorative material, particularly for patients at high risk of tooth decay. It also highlights amalgam’s durability and ease of placement compared to other materials.
At the same time, the CDA acknowledges the environmental risks posed by mercury and supports best management practices to mitigate these risks. In 2002, Environment Canada and the CDA signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Canada-Wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste. Canada also ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2017, committing to a global phase-down of mercury use, including in dental materials.
The American Dental Association (ADA) takes a similar position. It states that dental amalgam is a safe, affordable and durable restorative material. While environmental concerns over mercury have prompted regulatory action in the U.S. and elsewhere, the ADA maintains that amalgam remains an effective and inexpensive option.
Factors such as post-placement sensitivity, longevity, esthetics, cost and the clinical conditions under which a restoration is placed should all be considered when selecting a dental filling material, the ADA notes.