I was just about to place a composite filling today when my patient asked if the composite material contained bisphenol-A (BPA).  I was embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know.  I did post a blog article about BPA and sealants on my blog and I do use a sealant that does not have BPA. But composite was a different matter.    I just wasn’t sure about dental composites.

The composite that I use is Renamel by Cosmodent, and it is a very fine product.  I checked their catalog, but there was no mention of bisphenol-A, making me think that the product did contain BPA, or they would have announced that it did not.  Then my question was whether there was a composite available that did not contain BPA, and was there any health danger for the patient if composite does contain BPA.

I checked the American Dental Association website for their information on BPA at http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/dental.html

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/bisphenola.asp. They defended the use of dental composites, as I would expect, saying that there is no evidence that they are unsafe. From the ADA website: “Based on current research the Association agrees with the authoritative government agencies that the low-level of BPA exposure that may result from dental sealants and composites poses no known health threat.”

But rinse well after a composite is placed – it can’t hurt!