Washington ( CNN ) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee said Wednesday that the agency should look at updated data on mercury amalgam dental fillings that may indicate possible medical problems for patients . The panel -- after hearing two days of testimony from experts , members of the public and dental professionals -- recommended the FDA look at information updated since the agency ruled in 2009 that the mercury in dental fillings is not harmful . Committee members noted , however , that the FDA 's decision was solid , based on information available at the time . The committee also stressed that more studies need to be done on amalgam fillings , especially in children . Public pressure prompted the panel 's review , initiated less than 18 months after the agency 's decision . Committee members listened to testimony by consumer and dental groups claiming the FDA used flawed science when it set the current guidelines for mercury safety levels . `` We need to see where the science is and if there are gaps . '' said the panel 's chairwoman , Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat , a dentist and researcher with the University of Pennsylvania . In its final rule , the FDA concluded clinical studies did not establish a causal link between dental amalgam and health problems in people age 6 and older . But it did add that developing fetuses and young children may be more sensitive to the neurotoxin . Amalgam tooth fillings are an alloy made up of various metals and 50 percent mercury , . Mercury toxicity has been well documented , but when it comes to amalgam fillings there is n't a lot of data . Many dentists favor these fillings because they are cheap , easy to put in place and durable . Dental professionals also argue that mercury fillings last longer than resin composites , and are easier on the tooth . The American Dental Association agrees with the FDA that amalgam fillings are safe . Yet , some experts say mercury from these fillings penetrates into the body and damages human cells , especially in the brain , bones and kidneys . How much damage it is unknown , which is why the advisory committee is revisiting the issue . In Wednesday 's public hearing , 30 people testified for and against the use of amalgam fillings . Jessica Kerger , an attorney from Toledo , Ohio , said she was a healthy child until she started getting amalgam fillings . As she got older , she faced numerous health problems and a variety of diagnoses . She even had her amalgam fillings removed . It was n't until a doctor tested her for mercury poisoning that she realized her problem , she said . Now , after being treated for excess mercury in her body , Kerger said , `` I 'm an active mother , attorney and I have a black belt in karate . I blame my fillings and I am begging the FDA to get rid of them . '' While others testified that mercury in their fillings caused such health problems as loss of memory , impaired vision , miscarriages and paralysis , many dental professionals asked that amalgam fillings remain . Addressing the board , Dr. Vincent Mayher , a former president of the Academy of General Dentistry , said public accusations that dentists force patients to receive amalgam fillings is exaggerated . `` It 's Inflammatory . No dentist I know of forces a patient at any time to get amalgam fillings these days , especially pregnant women and little children . '' Mayher testified . Andrew Read Fuller , a dental student at UCLA and member of the American Student Dental Association , noted there is no scientific data that amalgam fillings cause the problems some attribute to them , and said that , as a future dentist , he would use amalgam fillings on any of his patients as well as himself . `` In the absence of new evidence there is no reason to question the FDA 's decision . '' Fuller said . Yet some dentists did say they would avoid using amalgam fillings because of numerous public reports of mercury poisoning . `` I always wondered why we were told by the ( American Dental Association ) to be careful when disposing of mercury . If it 's so dangerous to the environment , why not my patients ? '' asked Dr. Stephen Markus , a dentist in the Philadelphia area . The committee also recommended that the FDA come up with models that could be used to look at the effects of mercury vapor exposure from dental fillings . And when designing these models , it said , the agency should take into consideration age , health history and physical makeup of individuals . There was also discussion that more data needs to be looked at to come up with stronger models , especially those based on younger children and unborn fetuses . More information on amalgam fillings should be posted for both for patients and dentists , the committee said . It also noted the FDA 's biomarker using urine to detect mercury exposure is not perfect but is the best available for adults . Members also noted that more updated data is needed before the agency can make stronger guidelines on amalgam fillings . Although the committee 's recommendations will go to the FDA board for consideration , the board does not have to follow them . Traditionally , however , it does .
Advisory panel recommends re-evaluation of mercury in dental fillings . Score: 6 Updated data should be examined , the panel says .