Effect of admixed indium on mercury vapor release from dental amalgam

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of admixed indium on the amount of mercury vapor released from dental amalgam. We made amalgam specimens according to ADA Specification Number 1. We added various amounts (0-14% by weight) of indium to the alloy powder. We also tested the commercial amalgams Dispersalloy, Valiant, and Indiloy. Specimens were held at 37 degrees C and 100% humidity. We used a Jerome Mercury Vapor Analyzer (model 411) to measure the mercury vapor released. We analyzed the data by means of ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls procedures. Admixed indium significantly decreased the amount of mercury vapor released from dental amalgams; the period of the greatest effect on mercury vapor released was during the setting phase of amalgam; and dental amalgams with greater than or equal to 8% admixed indium released the least amount of mercury vapor.