Author: Bellinger DC, Trachtenberg F, Barregard L, Tavares M, Cernichiari E, Daniel D, McKinlay S.
Source: JAMA.
Year: 2006
Comment:
This highly controversial study, part of the Children's Amalgam Trials, has been cited often to suggest safety of amalgam use in children. However, a number of other studies and reports have criticized various aspects of this study.
Abstract / Excerpt:
“CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there were no statistically significant differences in adverse neuropsychological or renal effects observed over the 5-year period in children whose caries were restored using dental amalgam or composite materials. Although it is possible that very small IQ effects cannot be ruled out, these findings suggest that the health effects of amalgam restorations in children need not be the basis of treatment decisions when choosing restorative dental materials.”
Citation:
Bellinger DC, Trachtenberg F, Barregard L, Tavares M, Cernichiari E, Daniel D, et al. Neuropsychological and renal effects of dental amalgam in children. J Am Med Assoc. 2006; 295(15):1775–83.