News
ABC News
Dental Work Made in China Might Contain Lead
Crowns and Bridges From China May Be Cheaper, but at What Cost?
By ROBERTA BASKIN and SANDY BERGO

When Faye Lewis became concerned about her painful new bridgework, she had it checked out and received some disturbing news: Her bridge was manufactured in China and tainted with lead.

More dentists are using crowns and bridges made in China. According to the United State Customs Office, the number of dental products coming into the United States from China has doubled in the last year.

An investigation by ABC News affiliate WJLA-TV found that at least some of those dental products contain lead.

Lewis initially went to have a chipped tooth fixed, but her resulting bridgework fit so poorly and painfully, she couldn't chew her food. The 73-year-old told her dentist what she wanted to do was chew out whoever built her bridge.

According to Lewis, her dentist replied, "That will be a little hard to do because they're in China."

As a grandmother, Lewis was aware of news reports about the recall of lead-tainted toys from China. Lead accumulates in the body and can affect kidneys, eyes, heart, the immune system and cognitive function.

So Lewis sent her dental work to a lab for testing. The results showed that it did indeed contain lead.

Tony Prestipino, who owns Artifex dental lab in Virginia, ordered 10 crowns from three dental labs in China on behalf of WJLA.

Crowns from China sell for $30 to $50 to dentists, who then can charge up to $1,200 to patients who don't know the crowns were made in China.
A Chinese lab representative told Prestipino over the phone, "We follow this military 'don't ask, don't tell' policy."

Within five days the crowns arrived. "The first thing I see is that this is a horrible color and a horrible shape," Prestipino said.

Those crowns had problems similar to Lewis'. They didn't match the prescription and never would fit properly. If Lewis' bridge hadn't fit so poorly, she never would have had it removed or tested for toxic materials.

Next, WJLA had the China-made crowns tested for lead at NSL Analytical in Cleveland. Using a sophisticated process... in every case, lead contamination was discovered in the porcelain parts of the crown at some very high levels. In the crowns tested, the lead levels were as high as 490 parts per million. That's five times higher than the 90 ppm a Congressional committee wants the U.S. to set for toys.

A note from Drs. Phipps, Levin, & Hebeka:

We only use Certified US dental laboratories , using only Certified Dental Materials. The vast majority of our laboratory work is done right here - locally- in Northwest Ohio, NEVER from China or other foreign labs where the quality may be substandard.

You can be assured when it comes to your health and safety,
”We Do Not Cut Corners!”

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Most bottled waters and home treatment systems greatly reduce or eliminate the decay preventative effects of optimally fluoridated water (1.0 ppm). People without access to fluoridated water should take fluoride supplements. This is especially important in children and anyone experiencing a dry mouth.
Diet and Oral Health -- Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums. We are concerned that patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on teeth. Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay. Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body (and your teeth and gums)? The USDA oversees the nutritional health of the nation. The agency's dietary recommendations are designed to promote optimal health and to prevent obesity-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancers. The government's recommendations recognize that people have different dietary needs at various stages of life. They offer guidance for children and adults based on their levels of physical activity. A registered dietician can also provide suggestions for your daily food intake. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. And they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies, and pastries. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets What can you do? Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure water is readily available. Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar. Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance. Floss or use another kind of interdental cleaner daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth. Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings. Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the Food Pyramid recommendations.
Cavity Killer - If you tend to get cavities, chew on this: Gum that is sweetened with xylitol can help prevent tooth decay. Study participants who chewed on gum with xylitol after meals had far fewer cavity-causing bacteria in their mouths five minutes afterward than people who chewed gum sweetened with sorbitol or people who didn't chew gum at all. Check the label on your favorite gum to see if it contains the cavity-fighting ingredient.
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