FDA urged to ban mercury dental fillings following EU move
The debate over mercury dental fillings has reignited in the United States as two leading advocacy groups, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions (DAMS Inc.), have formally petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of mercury-containing dental amalgam.
Also known as silver fillings, dental amalgam typically contains around 50 percent mercury by weight, making it, according to the petitioners, “the most common source of mercury exposure” for the American population. The groups argue that mercury is a cumulative neurotoxin and poses significant risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.
Echoing EU’s zero pollution action plan
The push mirrors regulatory changes in the European Union (EU), which adopted a full ban on mercury fillings starting January 1, 2025, as part of its Zero Pollution Action Plan. This move is expected to prevent approximately 10 tonnes of mercury from entering the environment by 2030. European Parliament member Tilly Metz, who helped pass the legislation, highlighted the environmental and public health benefits of the ban.
In contrast, the British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that a similar prohibition in the UK could burden the already stretched National Health Service (NHS) with higher costs and longer treatment times, as amalgam remains widely used for permanent fillings.
Existing U.S. restrictions and vulnerable groups
While the United States has not yet banned mercury fillings outright, it has prohibited mercury in a number of consumer products, including certain paints, antiseptics, nasal sprays, ear drops and some medications — and, as of June 26, 2025, in certain vaccines.
In 2020, the FDA issued guidance advising against the use of mercury fillings in:
- Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy
- 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 defend amalgam’s role
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the continued use of dental amalgam, citing decades of evidence showing it to be a safe, durable and cost-effective restorative material — especially for patients at high risk of tooth decay. The CDA also recognizes environmental concerns and has pursued best management practices to limit amalgam waste, including a 2002 memorandum with Environment Canada and Canada’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2017.
Similarly, the American Dental Association (ADA) maintains that amalgam remains a safe and affordable option. The ADA stresses that selection of restorative material should depend on clinical factors such as longevity, cost, esthetics and specific patient needs.
Advocates call for U.S. alignment with global standards
Dr. Jack Kall, executive chair of IAOMT, said the United States should follow the global shift away from mercury:
“It is time to complete the process and ban mercury fillings outright, aligning with the European Union and other nations that have already acted. The health risks have prompted a global shift toward safer alternatives, and the United States should follow suit to protect public health.”
The FDA’s response to the petition could reshape dental practice and policy in the U.S., with implications for public health, environmental protection and the dental industry.
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