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Beryllium in Dental Crowns

(Sample Synthesis of Research)

Kevin W. Hall

Western Illinois University

Engineering Technology 241 – Introduction to Manufacturing

Beryllium is currently used in the manufacturing of various dental products (Fields, 2001). Specifically, this element can often be found in non-precious nickel alloys used for crowns because they are stronger and cheaper (Hemmings, 2000). A seemingly common procedure, Barizilay (2000) demonstrates the use of a nickel-chrome-beryllium alloy for a crown to bridge a gap between two molars; apparently, food was getting trapped in this region and causing inflammation. The description is rather procedural and would not cause much alarm to the common reader.

Beryllium has several desirable properties. The Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia describes beryllium as the second lightest metal, having non-magnetic properties, and exemplifying high strength and hardness when alloyed (“ADA: Proper Use”, n.d.). Additionally, Appell (1997) claims that beryllium is 30% lighter than aluminum and four times lighter than iron. The use of beryllium in base metals helps to facilitate casting processes used in dentistry. Beryllium gives the properties of strength, lightness, consistency, and conductivity (Fields, 2001).

However, the use of beryllium in dentistry is not without concern. Kalpakjian and Schmid (2001) explain that fumes or dust from the element and oxides are toxic. Fields (2001) claims that beryllium-related illnesses were reported as far back as the 1930’s in the Soviet Union and Europe. According to Ryder (2001), many types of workers who work with beryllium, including dental lab technicians, have developed beryllium disease. The grinding of beryllium can cause dust or fumes to be present in the air breathed which can cause the incurable and potentially fatal Chronic Beryllium Disease, Acute Beryllium Disease, skin cancer, or lung cancer (Fields, 2001; Ryder, 2001). Palmer (2002) describes many of the symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and fever. Ryder (2001) states, “Although there has been information published in medical literature regarding the dangers of beryllium for workers in the dental industry, this information has likely not been seen by those whose health is most threatened-the laboratory technicians” (p. 2).

There are often cases of misuse of a material for the production of products. The general public is likely to be as unaware of the potential threat as laboratory technicians. The Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia offers many substitutes for metals containing beryllium; some of these include steel, titanium, graphite composites; phosphor bronze and aluminum nitride may offer alternatives for beryllium-alloys (“The Workers’”, n.d.). As of January 2003, The American Dental Association no longer accepts the use of beryllium in dental products (“ADA: Proper Use”, n.d.). Consumers may also find comfort knowing that the Council on Scientific Affairs finds no evidence suggesting that wearing beryllium-alloyed products causes these types of problems. However, the fact that many people currently wear these products serves as evidence that the hazard for technicians will remain for some time.

References

ADA: Proper use of beryllium-containing Alloys (n. d.), Retrieved August 28, 2003, from

Appell, D. (1997). Beryllium: No longer just ballistic. The Industrial Physicist.

Barzilay, I. (2000). Splinting teeth: A review of the methodology and clinical case reports. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, 66, 440-443.

Fields, S. (2001). Toxic beryllium: New solutions for a chronic problem. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109.

Hemmings, K. (2000). Improving occlusion and orofacial aesthetics: Tooth repair and replacement. British Medical Journal, 321, 438-41.

Kalpakjian, S. & Schmid, S. (2001). Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Palmer, C. (2002). OSHA issues beryllium bulletin for dental labs. ADA News.

Ryder, A. (2001). Ban beryllium in dentistry. Ohio Citizen Action.

The workers’ compensation board of British Columbia: Inhalation of beryllium dust, or fumes can cause serious lung disease and cancer. (n. d.), retrieved August 28, 2003, from

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