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Related Concept Videos

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements01:27

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
Periodic Table Provides Information...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally-occurring, and fewer still are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.The Periodic Table Provides Information about...
The Availability Heuristic01:08

The Availability Heuristic

A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
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Environmental pollutants like...
Physical Properties of Amines01:26

Physical Properties of Amines

Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
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In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Letter to the Editor: Authors' Response.

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Influence of the Relative Enamel Abrasivity (REA) of Toothpastes on the Uptake of KOH-soluble and Structurally Bound Fluoride.

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Effect of direct current on surface structure and cytocompatibility of titanium dental implants.

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Povidone-iodine gel and solution as adjunct to ultrasonic debridement in nonsurgical periodontitis treatment: an RCT pilot study.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Confocal Time Lapse Imaging as an Efficient Method for the Cytocompatibility Evaluation of Dental Composites
07:04

Confocal Time Lapse Imaging as an Efficient Method for the Cytocompatibility Evaluation of Dental Composites

Published on: November 9, 2014

[Is amalgam a health hazard?].

Till N Göhring1, Olivier O Schicht, Thomas Imfeld

  • 1Klinik für Präventivzahnmedizin, Parodontologie und Kariologie, Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde der Universität Zürich. till.goehring@zzmk.uzh.ch

Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique
|June 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Dental amalgam has been used for over 100 years for tooth restoration. Current scientific evidence indicates that amalgam use is not a health hazard, despite past controversies regarding mercury content.

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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Confocal Time Lapse Imaging as an Efficient Method for the Cytocompatibility Evaluation of Dental Composites
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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

Published on: December 17, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Restorative Dentistry
  • Materials Science

Context:

  • Dental amalgam has been a widely used restorative material for over a century.
  • Concerns regarding mercury release emerged in the early 1990s, leading to public debate.
  • Recent scientific reviews address the safety and efficacy of amalgam restorations.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the current scientific evidence regarding the safety of dental amalgam.
  • To address the historical controversy surrounding mercury release from amalgam.
  • To compare amalgam with alternative restorative materials.

Summary:

  • Despite historical concerns about mercury evaporation, recent studies show minimal correlation between amalgam restorations and systemic or local diseases.
  • Allergic reactions to amalgam are exceptionally rare.
  • The majority of mercury evaporation occurs during the placement and removal of amalgam fillings.
  • While extensive amalgam use is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, no dental material fully substitutes amalgam's restorative properties.
  • Current scientific consensus supports that dental amalgam is not a health hazard.

Impact:

  • Provides an evidence-based perspective on the safety of dental amalgam restorations.
  • Informs dental professionals and patients about the risks and benefits of amalgam.
  • Highlights the continued relevance of amalgam as a restorative material in dentistry.