Faye Lewis, an Ohio woman, suffered pain and infection from her dental bridge. She discovered that it was made in China and contained lead.
In February, 10 Investigates reported that lead in one Chinese crown tested at 210 parts per million.
SPECIAL SECTION: Lead In Dental Work
The problem is that there is no known government standard for lead in dental
work.
10 Investigates used two laboratories to test the crowns, NSL Analytical in Cleveland and
Shiva Laboratory, in New York. In all, the labs tested seven crowns from China, two from
Thailand and four from the U.S.
Both labs used the same machine. They dissolved the crowns in a solution and measured
for lead.
This time, lead appeared in five of six Chinese crowns. The levels ranged from 160 to
240 parts per million, Seavert reported.
One crown from a Chinese lab tested at only 17 parts per million.
Both crowns from Thailand also contained lead but the levels were lower at 130 and 140 parts
per million.
Two of the four crowns made in the U.S. contained a similar amount of lead, at 110 and 130
parts per million.
Columbus dentist Brian Kvitko, who also hosts a dental radio show, said the topic of lead and
dental work has come up over and over again.
Kvitko said that he knows his dental work is safe and visits his laboratory in California.
"That's actually very concerning," Kvitko said. "I am assuming it's made here and my
lab is buying (Food and Drug Administration-approved) products. It sounds like the FDA needs
to do more testing."
U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess agrees. The Texas Republican sits on a health committee that
oversees the FDA.
"That is the government agency that should be looking into this," Burgess said. "They
are responsible, not just for devices themselves, but the products that go into making the device."
After 10 Investigates first reported the story, Burgess asked his committee to research lead
in dental work. He has already spearheaded legislation on lead toys and said lead in both
foreign and domestic dental work expands the problem exponentially.
WEB EXTRAS: Read Burgess' Letter To Committee Chairman | CDC Response To ADA | FDA Response To ADA | FDA Response To 10TV
"It may not be a foreign source at all, but a contaminant that has somehow found
its way to the supply chain in this country," Burgess said.
Porcelain crowns are made from powders and glazes. The materials are sculpted, painted
and fired to look like a person's actual tooth. Companies manufacture the materials and sell
them to dental labs across the world.
"If you have the higher number of parts per million in a Chinese lab, we know there is
something going on over there," Burgess said. "The U.S. one, we need to trace back to where
was that product purchased?"
Somehow, unsafe materials are appearing between the manufacturer and the mouth. Since
10 Investigates' story aired, some states have taken measures to prevent the risk.
Alabama, Florida and New York have proposed dental lab legislation which requires dentists
and laboratories to disclose where their work is coming from.
Now knowing that lead also appears in U.S. dental work, Kvitko would like a law that would
protect his practice and his patients.
"Part of the cost of having medical care in this country is the government oversight," Kvitko
said. "We count on it. We want it. We expect it. We ask our government to
protect us."
10 Investigates presented its results to the American Dental Association. They said
that lead should not be used as an ingredient in dental crowns and plans to investigate the amount
of lead in crowns and where the lead may be located - whether it is the metal, porcelain or glaze.
Editor's Note:
10 Investigates has decided not to name the labs until we have more information. For
now, we know the problem is not limited to one country and some of the U.S. and Chinese
laboratories use the same FDA-approved materials. There could be a scenario where the labs
are doing everything right but the lead is in the raw materials. 10 Investigates will
continue to research.
We have also confirmed that other U.S. dental labs have opted to test their own work and also
found lead. The American Dental Association is conducting widespread tests on U.S. crowns and
that may provide more insight.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
April 23, 2008:
Ohio Could Adopt New Dental Work Regulation
March 31, 2008:
Exclusive: Woman Discusses Lead-Contaminated Dental Work
March 25, 2008:
Alabama Introduces Dental Lab Legislation
March 13, 2008:
Some Dentists Don't Know Where Lead Contamination Is Coming From
March 6, 2008:
Lawmakers Pressed For Answers After Lead Reports
March 4, 2008:
Lawmakers, FDA Eye Dental Work Report
February 28, 2008:
State Dental Board Takes Action After 10 Investigates Report
February 27, 2008:
Foreign Dental Work Put To Test
