UPDATE 1-US panel urges new look at 'silver' teeth fillings
Susan Heavey
* Safety of mercury-containing dental fillings at issue
* Use of fillings in kids, pregnant women biggest concern
* Critics urge ban, industry groups say fillings safe
* Move could impact Dentsply, Danaher's Kerr, others (Adds panel recommendation, comments, share prices)
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec 15 (Reuters) - Enough uncertainty surrounds silver-colored metal dental fillings with mercury that U.S. regulators should add more cautions for dentists and patients, a U.S. advisory panel said on Wednesday. While past data has backed the cavity treatment, the fillings should be accompanied by warnings about unknown risks for vulnerable people such as children and pregnant women, the Food and Drug Administration's panel of outside advisers said. "There really is no place for mercury in children," Suresh Kotagal, a panelist and neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said of the toxic metal. Metal fillings are used in millions of Americans' teeth to patch decay, but are increasingly being rejected in favor of bone-colored resin that is more eye-pleasing. Mercury has been linked to neurological damage at high exposure levels and makes up about half of a metal filling. While the FDA has said no new specific new evidence has emerged about the fillings' safety, the agency wants input on how it assessed the data and drew conclusions after receiving four petitions questioning its 2009 ruling. [ID: nN10272453] While the panel stopped short of urging a ban, it wants the FDA to look at the latest data and reassess its guidance after the agency last year declared the fillings safe. Their advice follows a divisive two-day public meeting on the FDA's handling of such fillings, also known as dental amalgam. The FDA could decide to continue backing the metal fillings, urge more cautious use, or ban the products. Some European nations have banned amalgam use. The agency's actions could affect dental filling makers such as Dentsply International Inc (XRAY.O) and Danaher Corp's (DHR.N) Kerr unit, and distributors such as Henry Schein Inc (HSIC.O) and Patterson Cos Inc (PDCO.O). Critics told the advisers there was a clear link between mercury fillings and side effects, especially in more vulnerable patients. They should be banned or not implanted unless patients give consent, they said. But some dentists and trade groups said data shows the fillings pose no harm once set in a patient's tooth. Posted Dec. 28, 2010www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1517796020101215
Dec. 15, 2010