Expert: James Michael Roan - 5/31/2009

Question
2 years ago my 7 year old son underwent dental work and had a chrome crown placed into his mouth. Soon after he began to exhibit signs of aggression.  At the time I was only concerned with mercury/amalgam.  This crown was placed in his mouth whilst he was under general anaesthetic.  I didn't know it was there until he recovered I was shocked and asked the dentist what this metal cap was? she assured me it was stainless steel.  I have now learned that the nickel in these crowns are linked to aggression, poor eyesight and in fact nickel is the number one cancer stimulating metal, even worse than mercury - because mercury usually kills cells, whereas nickel just turns the cell malignant. Although cobalt and chromium individually do not cause cancer, if they are combined into one mixture, they will cause cancer.  Nickel causes DNA damage in preventing cells from repairing and from duplicating. It has pronounced adverse effects on the immune system, destroying T-cells and especially the NK cells that are our major defense against cancer. Alteration of chromosomes is also a problem with nickel.  I am doing biomedical intervention with my son and dietary management but I cannot do chelation until this is removed from his mouth.  I have now opted to have this crown removed.  I would ask parents of other children to think about whether or not they noticed a change in their child's behavior after dental work.  Dr. Hal Huggins www.halhuggins.com says that when he sees children in the airport with big thick lenses in their glasses he looks at their mouths and see their teeth capped with these chrome caps. He says some of these children also develop behavioral and learning problems. One lady testified at FDA hearings in 2006 that her straight A son regressed to a failing student after having dental work with nickel in it.  I have now managed to make an appointment to have this crown removed from my sons mouth.  There is also evidence to suggest that the use of nickel in braces is also a problem usually when the child in his or her teens.  I would ask other parents to be aware of the problems of nickel.  Mercury is not the only metal that can cause problems.  My question is what is your opinion on nickel and dentistry work and the effects on autistic children.  

Answer
Hi Carol;

I must confess my complete ignorance on this subject. As you know, heavy metals have been responsible for many developmental neurological disorders. You are obviously an expert in this area and I would appreciate any direction from you in becoming more knowledgeable in this area. I will be looking for more articles on autism and heavy metals.

Kind regards,
James






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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.