Countries agreed Friday to phase out the use of mercury-based dental amalgams in tooth fillings by 2034, in a move that will change dentistry around the world.

At a conference in Geneva, signatories to a treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution called time on mercury amalgams.

Nations agreed “to end the use of dental amalgam by 2034, marking a historic milestone in reducing mercury pollution”, the conference announced in its closing statement.

The World Health Organization considers mercury one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern, calling it “toxic to human health”.

Some countries have already banned its use in dental amalgam, a common filling material used for more than 175 years.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and mercury compounds.

More than 150 countries are party to the convention, which was adopted in 2013 and came into force in 2017.

Parties at this week’s conference adopted amendments “establishing a global phase-out of dental amalgam by 2034”, the closing statement said.

“This science-based, time-bound agreement marks a decisive step toward the total elimination of mercury use in dentistry and a safer future for all communities.”