If you're one of millions who have a crown, the newest lead scare could hit you any day. This time, it's not what we put into our mouths, but what our dentists put in them.
Recent reports in the United States show that people have been infected with lead from, not the metal, but the porcelain in their crowns. That's because the impressions for a crown sometimes contained lead when their dentists outsourced from a lab in China. One local dentist lab says the reason is simple economics.
James Hunter, Lab Manager - Treasure Dental Lab:"Labs throughout the country take work in from dentists an then they will outsource to China because of the demand, they have a cheaper product".
Treasure Dental Lab in Idaho Falls say all of their materials are created on site and that none of their products come from China.
The reason for this huge scare is that China does not regulate the way we do here in the U.S. Add that to the fact that dentists can send the materials first class, and get the lead-filled crown very quickly.
Dr. Jay Harris, Harris Dental: "The lab can in a matter of a day or two, send something all over the world and doesn't know what he's getting back".
The responsibility of knowing where the materials come from relies on the dentist. One dentist says you should ask questions to keep this from happening to you.
Harris: "If they keep it in house or if they're sending it overseas for their dental work".
Anthony Congi: "So you personally are very conscious of where your work goes?"
Harris: "Well every dentist should be".
Unfortunately, that might not be the case. The best way to know is to ask your dentist where he or she sends your crown and what materials they use.