People quickly assumed the problem was with foreign dental labs, particularly those in China.

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey asking dentists a number of questions about foreign dental labs.

One dentist said,  “Patients have been systematically kept in the dark when it comes to dental procedures.  Patients should be given informed consent when choosing materials.”

Another dentist complained, “Too many dentists are accommodating low insurance payment schedules by buying materials and fabrications that are too cheap.  It doesn’t seem to matter that it compromises the health of the patient.”

Click on Play to hear more of what dentists have to say about foreign dental labs –

What has been your experience with dental labs?

The day was saved by her wedding planner’s sister’s husband, a dentist.

Now that is a cosmetic dentistry disaster artfully averted!

It's also somewhat funny that the sweetheart pop star would be the one to lose a tooth (well, presumably Duff meant she lost a dental crown) on that special day, when the groom is a hockey player, of all things.

When last we spoke of the lead scandal, an Ohio TV station had reported finding the toxic metal in two dental crowns manufactured in Chinese dental labs. They launched their investigation after an elderly woman allegedly suffered lead poisoning from her dental bridge.

In two months since the story broke, a number of different organizations have begun their own testing of dental prosthetics. Unfortunately for those of us hungry for more data, few results have been publicly released.

However, the data that has come in so far suggests the lead scandal may be even bigger than we thought. Preliminary numbers suggest that a surprisingly high number of dental prostheses contain lead.

What’s more, the tainted dental work isn’t just coming from China. Lead has apparently been found in restorations made in the US as well as other countries.

Expanding upon their initial investigation, Ohio’s Channel 10 has released the results of further tests. What they found was not encouraging.

• China: 5 of 7 crowns tested contained 160-240 ppm lead.
• Thailand: 2 of 2 crowns tested at 130-140 ppm lead.
• USA: 2 of 4 crowns tested contained 110-130 ppm lead.

Since none of the components of a dental crown should contain lead, the million-dollar question (the one no one can answer right now) is where the lead is coming from. Is the lead in the glaze, the porcelain, or the metal? Are the dental labs responsible, or does the fault lie with those who manufacture the components?

Who’s doing what?

• The FDA is monitoring the situation, but is not currently planning to issue a Consumer Update.
• The CDC says it’s the FDA’s job, but suggests that even lead levels of 200 ppm are not dangerous.
• The ADA is conducting its own tests. Results have not been publicly released.

Read the report from 10 Investigates, or post your own comments on lead in dental products…

Unlike traditional tattoos, tooth tattoos can be removed in two minutes. The personalized design is baked into the crown’s enamel, and can even be placed on the tooth’s inside surface for a particularly private tattoo. Designs range from patriotic to floral to tribal and beyond.

Visit www.toothtattoo.com for more information…