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Urinary mercury levels before and after amalgam restoration
Y C Chien1, C A Feldman, H K Zohn
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|September 20, 1996
Summary
Dental amalgam restorations can slightly increase mercury body burden. A significant mercury increase was observed in subjects with multiple restorations, but overall risks are minimal for the general population.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Dental Materials Science
Background:
- Dental amalgam restorations are widely used.
- Concerns exist regarding mercury release and body burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of dental amalgam restorations on mercury body burden.
- To quantify mercury excretion rates post-restoration.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of urinary mercury levels and excretion rates.
- Monitoring subjects with varying numbers of amalgam restorations.
Main Results:
- No consistent mercury increase observed with a single restoration.
- A statistically significant trend of 33% above background mercury levels detected 9-12 days post-restoration in subjects with four restorations.
- The observed elevation in mercury body burden is generally small.
Conclusions:
- Dental amalgam restorations can lead to a minor increase in mercury body burden.
- The risks associated with dental amalgam use are considered minimal for the general population.