Toxic effects of dental amalgam implants. Optical histological and histochemical observations

Dental amalgam and porcelain control discs were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Amalgam implants exerted a toxic effect caused by release of metal ions which was characterized by prolonged inflammation, delayed granulation and disordered collagen formation. Dental porcelain was found to be a suitable biocompatible control which provided a bulk similar to that of dental amalgam but induced only an uncomplicated granulation response.