What’s BPA and Why is it in my Dental Fillings?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound used in the
industrial production of polycarbonates and epoxy resins.
Sadly, many dental resins today do contain this endocrine-
disrupting chemical or its related compounds.
In a recent study, 130 dental resin products were tested for
their composition of BPA or BPA derivatives, and over
86% of them were found to contain BPA. Only 18 dental
resins were BPA free.
The presence of BPA is obviously concerning since these
dental resin materials are not only used in adults but also
in sealant material recommended for children whom are at
a higher risk of developing tooth decay. Exposure to BPA
has been linked to several health issues such as early
puberty onset, metabolic disorders including obesity and
diabetes, heart disease, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, and
even some cancers. Research is showing that BPA may
also affect how reproductive systems and brains develop.
There is some good news, BPA free dental materials are
available and can help reduce the amount of BPA we’re exposed to.
In our office, we only
use BPA free dental materials and ceramics as these are
broadly biocompatible restorative options.
If you’re interested in knowing more about BPA, please
see the links to the several studies referenced below.
Dental Composites – a Low-Dose Source of Bisphenol A?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8603723/
Bisphenol A “Understanding the Controversy”
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2165079915
623790
Bisphenol A, Chapter 2: New Data Shed Light on
Exposure, Potential Bioaccumulation
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2685869/
Salivary bisphenol A levels and their association with
composite resin restoration
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004
5653516318665
