The American public has been bombarded with almost daily news accounts of lead problems relating to children’s toys brought in from China. Another problem involving lead concerns its use by dentists. The American Dental Association has launched an investigation to find out the extent to which lead is used in bridges, crowns and fillings. The group has warned patients to make sure they know exactly what their dentist is putting into their mouths. The ADA confirmed last month that bridges, crowns and fillings put into people’s mouths was testing positive for lead. The tainted crowns, which come from China, were seen as a way for U.S. dentists to cut costs. It’s reported that patients pay about one-sixth as much for a Chinese-made crown as they would for a domestic, American crown. It’s the patients who could end up paying a real price, however, because they’re the ones fitted with dental work that can carry five times the amount of lead allowed in toys. The ADA is now testing both foreign- and domestic-made crowns to determine if they release lead into the patients’ mouths once they’re put in. In the meantime, many dentists are telling folks not to take any chances. It’s recommended that patients need to have a very serious discussion with their dentist about the possibility of lead in a crown. Officials warned that even crowns from American companies could contain lead because they often outsource their work to Chinese-based manufacturers.

Source: Associated Press

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