AR Denture Cream Recall

Hematologic and Neurologic Consequences From Chronic Use of Denture Adhesive – Case Report

Important news for denture cream users

In February 2010, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of Super Poligrip, alerted consumers of its decision to cease manufacture, distribution and marketing of zinc-containing denture adhesives due to potential health risks associated with the long-term use of these products.

Products subject to the denture cream recall in Arkansas and across the United States include Super Poligrip Original, Ultra Fresh and Extra Care. Another zinc-containing denture adhesive, Fixodent, manufactured by Procter & Gamble, was not included in the consumer advisory.

A 2008 study headed up by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and published by the American Academy of Neurology found excessive use of denture creams containing zinc may result in hypocupremia or zinc poisoning. The study also linked use of zinc-containing denture adhesives with nerve damage and other neurologic disorders.

Have you been exposed to zinc poisoning?

There are an estimated 35 million denture wearers in the United States. Researchers now wonder whether zinc poisoning may be more widespread in older populations than previously thought. Advancements in dental care have reduced the number of new denture wearers, leaving older generations vulnerable, through years of use, to the damage and disease caused by excessive zinc ingestion via denture creams.

Approximately 20 years ago, denture adhesives were classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class 1 medical device, a device or article not intended to be bioactive or metabolized by the body.

In its released consumer advisory, GSK noted, “people with ill-fitting dentures should seek help from their dental care professional, rather than compensate for poorly fitting dentures by using excessive adhesive.” A 2009 study published in Neurotoxicology found that individuals with poorly fitting dentures were likely to use large amounts of denture adhesive to compensate for comfort and fit, and were more likely to suffer from zinc poisoning when excess paste was swallowed.

Zinc is also absorbed through the gums. But individuals using profuse amounts of dental adhesives, or using them more than once a day, are more likely to suffer the effects of zinc poisoning.

Personal injury claims resulting from use of denture creams

Approximately 70 claims for injury or disease from the use of denture creams containing zinc have been consolidated in a multidistrict litigation in Miami. Hundreds more lawsuits wait possible consolidation. At least 20 additional personal injury suits have been filed against GlaxoSmithKline in Philadelphia. Defendants include GlaxoSmithKline as well as Procter & Gamble.

Contact us for help with Arkansas denture cream recall

If you are a long-term user of dental adhesives, we are a denture cream litigation practice in Batesville that can help with your individual claim. Contact us today or call toll-free, 1 (888) 896-0299, to discuss how you should proceed.