ASBESTOS AND DENTISTRY
Asbestos was used in a number of applications in dental offices at least since 1930. One such use was as a lining material for casting rings and crucibles used for making crowns or bridges. Dentists would melt metal in the casting ring or crucible to form the crown or bridge. The asbestos lining functioned to confine the melted metal.
The main type of asbestos used in the liners was chrysotile. These asbestos liners came in a roll that had to be cut to size for the crucible or casting ring. The cutting released asbestos fibers. When asbestos becomes airborne, toxic fibers can be inhaled into the body and lodge in the lining of the internal organs. Decades later, asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis develop.
Several cases of dentists and dental technician developed asbestosis and mesothelioma have been reported. Although levels of contamination may be lower than in other occupations, the everyday exposure in closed, poorly ventilated spaces create risk for dentists, dentistry students and dental technicians for developing asbestos-related diseases.
