The Norwegian Directorate of Health intends that this guideline will influence decisions on the use of dental filling materials. It is acknowledged that mercury is a problem in relation to the environment and there is increasing concern in the population about health risks due to the use of amalgam fillings.
Recommendations
- Preventive treatment should be given priority.
- Dental tissue-conserving techniques shall always be chosen when dental filling therapy is necessary.
- Amalgam should not normally be the first choice for any indication of dental filling therapy.
- Use of amalgam should be limited as much as possible in consideration to the environment and possible adverse health effects.
- Dental filling therapy should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Contact between amalgam and other metals must be avoided when placing new dental fillings.
- Allergy to a component of a dental filling material is a contra-indication for use of the material.
- Effort should be made to reduce the exposure of patients and dental health care personnel to chemical substances during dental treatment, both when placing and removing dental fillings.
- Water cooling and suction shall be used when removing old dental fillings.
- Contact with materials before they are hardened should be avoided.