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Decrease of trace elements in erythrocytes and plasma after removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys
Peter Frisk1, Anders Lindvall, Romuald Hudecek
1Foundation for Metal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden.
Biological Trace Element Research
|December 30, 2006
Summary
Dental amalgam removal impacts element levels in blood, with decreases in mercury, selenium, and magnesium observed across all patient groups. Some metals like titanium and zinc also decreased, while others showed varied changes depending on patient quality of life estimations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Health
- Dental Materials Science
Background:
- Dental amalgam fillings contain various metals, including mercury, silver, and copper.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential health effects of metal leaching from dental restorations.
- Patient-reported quality of life may influence physiological responses to dental materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify changes in erythrocyte and plasma elemental concentrations following dental amalgam and metal alloy removal.
- To investigate if these changes correlate with patient-assessed quality of life groups.
- To explore the impact of amalgam removal on specific trace elements and heavy metals.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 13 elements in blood (erythrocytes and plasma) from 250 patients.
- Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental quantification.
- Grouping patients into Negative, Zero, and Positive quality of life categories.
Main Results:
- Decreased concentrations of magnesium, selenium, and mercury in plasma and/or erythrocytes were observed in all groups post-removal.
- Titanium, copper, and zinc levels decreased in specific quality of life groups.
- Silver and gold concentrations showed varied decreases, with higher levels of copper, silver, and gold in the 'Negative' group suggesting slower excretion.
Conclusions:
- Dental amalgam removal significantly alters the concentration of several essential and toxic elements in blood.
- Elemental changes post-removal appear to be influenced by pre-existing quality of life estimations.
- The 'Negative' quality of life group exhibited slower metal excretion, indicating potential individual differences in metal metabolism.
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