BOSTON -- There are concerns that lead could be in your mouth. An investigation revealed that traces of lead in bridges and crowns made overseas could be contaminating people. News Center 5's Heather Unruh investigated who is at risk.

Lead In Dental Work?

"This is going in a mouth, it's feeding into our bloodstream," said Faye Lewis, a 73-year-old woman from Ohio.

Lewis was shocked to find out a bridge she had in her mouth was full of lead and that the bridge had been was made in China.

"There are some crowns being made overseas and some of those porcelains may be contaminated," said Dr. Steven Spitz, of Smileboston Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

Spitz said there are labs who buy crowns from overseas, because it's cheaper. While he doesn't know where the lead is coming from, he has his suspicions.

"China has a problem with water so it's certainly coming from the water there," he said.

But there are no regulations requiring labs to disclose where its dental supplies are coming from. According to the American Dental Association, 20 percent of the parts come from China.

Bob Cohen owns the largest dental lab in Massachusetts. He said there is no lead in the bridges and crowns he sells, but patients still need to be informed.

"I think patients should ask dentists where their crowns are being made," Cohen said.