Dental Sealant Selection and BPA (Bis-Phenol A)

Recently published debates and news stories about Bis-Phenol A (BPA) being found in dental products (particularly dental sealants), baby bottles, and now food, have caused concern in the general public and within the dental industry. My comments relate to dental products and the dental industry. BPA is a chemical compound used to make dental resins. BPA has been extensively researched, and discussed as having potentially adverse health effects, particularly related to estrogenic effects.

Before I weigh in on this subject, let me offer my background. I am a polymer chemist, a dental materials specialist, with training in cell culture and animal testing of dental monomers, a dental manufacturer, a dental educator, and someone who has evaluated, developed, and marketed dental sealants for more than 25 years.

BPA is a starting component for making Bis-GMA, a very common dental monomer used in a wide variety of dental products. In making Bis-GMA it is possible that not all of the BPA is converted into Bis-GMA and that some BPA can be found in the final dental product. Some BPA, in even smaller amounts, may leach out of the final product. The question becomes: What are the effects of a very small amount of BPA on the patient?

So far, several studies have shown that at much higher concentrations, such compounds can have an impact upon the development of cells in the laboratory. This is not news and has been known for decades, and not just for BPA. The real question here is: Are the clinical amounts of BPA causing any adverse effects on the patient? So far the answer is no! However, the door should not be closed on this issue or patient concerns.

We are surrounded by thousands of compounds that have known health risks. I understand the concern. Public safety and patient health is something many of us are committed to. This is also the primary responsibility of the FDA. Dental products of this type, both sealants and composites, are regulated by the FDA. Continued study of BPA is underway, as well as, thousands of other compounds. Many of us monitor or are directly involved in these studies and carefully select dental components from materials known to be safe.

So, why is there so much discussion about this topic in the dental industry when no definitive evidence exists? Part of the answer lies with dental companies, some of whose sealants do not contain Bis-GMA or BPA, are making a big fuss about this issue. They are paying advertising agencies and speakers, to stir up a storm over this issue. It doesn't matter that these same companies also sell sealants and composites that are based upon Bis-GMA. Do they bother to tell the public this as well? Why don't they take their Bis-GMA containing products off the market?

Are these same companies spending any money to answer the basic question, is Bis-GMA or BPA, as it is supplied to the industry and patient, safe? What do you think?

So, returning to BPA and Bis-GMA. Bis-GMA has been used in the dental industry for decades. Bis-GMA is among the most widely used monomers in all of dentistry. Are there any studies linking Bis-GMA containing products to any adverse health effect? No. Have the dental restorations that contain Bis-GMA provided great service in restoring function and esthetics to the patient? Yes. Can we continue to improve the development and testing of dental restorations based upon such materials? Of course! However, to promote such media attention is really dis-ingenuous.

From what we know today, Bis-GMA containing sealants and composites are safe, and should continue to be used in dental materials.

Regards, Jan

For those who have further interest, or are not convinced, see the American Dental Association position statement on this subject at: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/bisphenola.asp