Environmental aspects of dental filling materials

In recent years, the possible environmental impact caused by certain routines in dental practice has attracted attention among regulators. As part of point source reduction strategies, the discharge of mercury/amalgam-contaminated wastes has been regulated in a number of countries, even though it has been documented that by adopting appropriate mercury hygiene measures, including installation of amalgam-separating devices, the environmental impact of amalgam use in dentistry is minimal. There are, so far, no data indicating the environmental impact of methacrylate-based dental filling materials. As to the occupational environment, recent reports have stated that when normal occupational recommendations for proper mercury hygiene routines are followed (e.g., water spray coolant and high vacuum suction during removal of amalgam restorations), no occupational health risk can be assumed. An increasing number of reports on occupational allergic reactions to components of polymer-based dental filling materials call for attention to the sensitizing potential of certain ingredients in these products.