DeNtal tribuNe | January-March, 2010 interview 19 There was a focus on the oral cavity, which thus ignored the environmental aspects such as mercury emissions from crematoria and leakage of mercury into wastewater from There was some consensus that mercury use in dentistry should be phased down. A suitable way to do this is to begin teaching alternative restoration techniques, other than dental amalgam, in dental schools. DT page 20 “Allergic reactions from amalgam fillings in some patients have been acknowledged” An interview with Prof. Lars Hylander, Uppsala University In November, 2009, an agreement in concept was reached by a World Health Organizationconvened international expert group meeting, supporting the phase-out of dental mercury use worldwide. Dental Tribune Group Editor Daniel with Zimmermann Prof. Lars Professor spoke at the Hylander, What has been decided regarding dental amalgam? The WHO has not been as quick as Norway, who instituted a ban on dental amalgam in less than six months after the proposal of a ban was presented in the country. Thus far, nothing has been decided, but the WHO can hardly ignore the decision made by the world’s governments within the UNEP to negotiate a mercury treaty, which will begin in Stockholm next June. dental clinics and the wearing of amalgam surfaces due to everyday chewing. The American Dental Association demonstrated this most clearly in Associate University of Uppsala in Sweden who attended the meeting, about the agreement and strategies for future biomaterials use in dentistry. EMS-SWISSQUALITY.COM Daniel Zimmermann: Prof. Hylander, you recently attended a joint meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that aimed to assess the latest clinical evidence on dental restorative materials. Could you tell us about the outcome of the meeting? Prof. Lars Hylander: Most participants agreed that amalgam should be phased out or at least phased down. Dr Poul Erik Petersen, Responsible Officer for Oral Health at the WHO, however, raised several good questions, such as what to tell people in poor countries who cannot even afford dental amalgam fillings. At this point, the room grew rather silent. AIR-FLOW KILLS BIOFILM THE NEW AIR-FLOW HANDY PERIO GETS RID OF THE ENEMY – WITH GENTLE ACTION AND UTMOST PRECISION Three horizontal nozzle apertures for the air-powder mixture, a separate vertical water nozzle aperture for rinsing: what used to be off limits is now easily reachable, through gentle action and without any risk of emphysema. And since the Air-Flow Powder Perio is particularly fine, the tooth surface is not damaged. A similar consultation was held more than ten years ago. What has changed since then concerning the manner in which dental restorative materials are perceived? Allergic reactions from amalgam fillings in some patients have been acknowledged by proamalgamists. Mercury leakages and emissions from dental amalgam into the environment have been fully acknowledged, particularly after dental amalgam was banned in Norway and Sweden, and restricted in Denmark and other places. Proof of methylmercury formation in wastewater from dental clinics is a third factor that makes the continued use of amalgam less justified. Another factor is that alternative tooth filling materials are now available or in development. Grain size ~ 25 µm DEEP DOWN, between tooth and gingiva, billions of bacteria managed to proliferate under the cover of malicious biofilm – until now. With its new Air-Flow handy Perio, Air-Flow has assigned its latest family member to combat – right on target for subgingival prophylaxis in your practice. Together with the Original Air-Flow Powder Perio, the new Air-Flow handy Perio with its unique PerioFlow nozzle tracks down biofi lm, even in the deepest periodontal pockets. For more information > welcome@ ems-ch.com