Mercury is used in dentistry in the filling material known as dental amalgam. Noncontact amalgam scrap is excess mix leftover at the end of a dental procedure. When the silver alloy and mercury are mixed, a chemical reaction. Elemental mercury is the primary component of dental amalgam. As new evidence has become available, this has been. Dean kent at partners in dental health explains how and the important process of detoxing the body from mercury toxicity. These significant mercury sources result in air, water, and food.
Although most dental offices currently use some type of basic filtration system to reduce the amount of mercury solids passing into the sewer system, dental offices are the single largest source of mercury at sewage treatment plants. Overall, studies continue to support the position that dental amalgam is a safe restorative option for both children and adults. Since mercury is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment, everyone is exposed to mercury in some form, whether through the air, drinking water, soil or food. The ada recommends against the use of bulk elemental mercury, also referred to as liquid or raw mercury, for use in the dental office. Dental amalgam and the minamata convention on mercury. Dental amalgam is a mixture of several metals, including mercury. So, having some contact with mercury through amalgam isnt all that much different from other daily exposures. Definitionamalgam is a special type of alloy in which mercury is one of the component 3. The amalgam filling contains the toxic metals copper, silver, tin, and trace amounts of zinc. Mercury poisoning symptoms and dental amalgam fillings.
Mercury filling toxicity dams dental amalgam mercury. Lowcopper amalgam commonly consists of mercury 50%, silver 2232%, tin 14%, copper 8% and other trace metals dental amalgams were first documented in a tang dynasty medical text written by su gong in 659, and appeared in germany in 1528. Mercury vapour is continuously released from dental amalgam and is ultimately absorbed into a variety of tissues. Occupational risk to oral health personnel a potential health risk to oral health personnel from mercury exposure exists if working conditions are not properly organised. Dental amalgam was introduced as a restorative material over 150 years ago. Cover letter to dental amalgam survey for the internet. It has been used for more than 150 years in hundreds of millions of patients around the world. Opinion on the environmental risks and indirect health. Amalgam is approximately 50 percent mercury by weight. Everyone is exposed to mercury through air, drinking water, soil and food.
A number of countries have taken action against the use of dental mercury amalgam fillings. While it is true that those with dental amalgam fillings generally have higher levels of blood and urine mercury levels, it is important to note that slight increases in mercury exposure due to dental amalgam do not rise to a level of concern and are not expected to lead to adverse health effects. Best management practices for scrap dental amalgam. Health concerns there is a lot of debate about health effects from the mercury in amalgam fillings.
More recently, other materials, such as composite resins, have provided dentists. Mercury poisoning symptoms can arise from dental amalgam mercury fillings, also called silver fillings, as they continuously release mercury vapor. Understanding dental waste biohazardous concern disinfection and decontamination any form of contact amalgam extracted teeth containing amalgam, residue from amalgam traps and separators, etc. Imerc fact sheet mercury use in dental amalgam this fact sheet summarizes the use of mercury in dental amalgam, including the total amount of mercury amalgam sold in the u. Dental amalgam is approximately 4050% elemental mercury, 25% silver and a 2535% mixture of copper, zinc and tin. Mercury is a naturally occurring metal in the environment and can exist in liquid, gas or solid form when combined with other metals. Dental amalgam is an alloy used as a filling restorative material for tooth cavities caused by either decay, trauma, or other factors, and is composed of mercury, silver, tin, and copper, along with other metallic elements added to improve physical and mechanical properties ada, 2011. Later, li shihchen 1578 chronicled a dental mixture of 100 parts mercury with 45 parts silver and 900 parts tin.
The popularity of amalgam arises from excellent long term performance. One of these substances, in those who have restorations, is dental amalgam which contains mercury. It has been used for over 150 years to fill cavities caused by tooth decay in hundreds of. Mercury is used to bind the other compounds of dental amalgam together to form a hard, stable restorative material. The mercury is then reused in new products, including dental amalgam. Mercury and mercury compounds are on the proposition 65 list because they can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Definition amalgam is a special type of alloy in which mercury is one of the component 3. Dental amalgam represents the secondlargest useof mercury in the eu, after its use in the chloralkali industry. The use of preencapsulated amalgam has reduced the potential for mercury exposure during routine dental procedures. Dental amalgam is a liquid mercury and metal alloy mixture used in dentistry to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Dental offices discharge mercury present in amalgam used for fillings. Dental amalgam danger exists because mercury fillings are associated with a number of human health risks.
How many chairs in your office are associated with dental amalgam. If improperly managed by dental offices, dental amalgam waste can be released into the environment. The concern is 1 how much mercury exposure is too much. Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from the illegal diversion of dental mercury into the artisanal and smallscale gold mining sector, to crematoria emissions from the deceased and sewage. Dental practices and clinics release a significant amount of mercury into the environment when they dispose of waste from amalgam fillings in the trash or down the drain. The application of proper mercury hygienic requirements together with monitoring of mercury vapours in the work. Quantification of mercury emissions from cremation of.
What is the estimated wastewater flow rate, in gallon per day gpd associated with dental amalgam. The use of alternative materials such as composite. Dental amalgam is the most widely used restorative material. The mercury in amalgam is contained, or sequestered, within the filling. Mercury incorporated into intact solid fillings has been considered to be inert. A comparative health risk evaluation 7 substitution of alternatives for mercury amalgam based on current evidence, therefore, the ultimate goal of a phaseout of virtually all usage of dental mercury is recommended. Amalgam separators are a practical, affordable and readily available technology for capturing mercury and other metals before they are discharged into sewers that drain to potws. The silver alloy is a fine powder that is composed mostly of silver, tin and copper, and sometimes zinc, palladium or indium. Although they are sometimes referred to as silver fillings, amalgam fillings are actually made from a combination of metals that make it the most effective and popular filling material used in dentistry for the last 150 years. Dec 15, 2016 if improperly managed by dental offices, dental amalgam waste can be released into the environment. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper.
Such mercury is emitted in minute amounts as vapor. Lowcopper amalgam commonly consists of mercury 50%, silver 2232%, tin 14%, copper 8% and other trace metals. Both alcohol and nicotine can bring temporary relief, so mercury in fillings can promote a reliance on and an addition to alcohol and smoking. For detailed supporting regulatory documentation and more information about the best management practices for scrap dental amalgam, call dep at 850 4880300 or visit the dep web site p. He was convinced that mercury released from dental amalgam was responsible for human diseases affecting the cardiovascular system and nervous system also stated that patients claimed recoveries from. A comparative health risk evaluation 7 substitution of alternatives for mercury amalgam based on current evidence, therefore, the ultimate goal of a phaseout of virtually all usage of dental mercury is. Dental amalgam is a dental filling material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay.
In spite of the long history of mercury amalgam as a dental restorative material, its use continues to be controversial. In the 2008 opinion on the environmental risks and indirect health effects of mercury in dental amalgam the scientific committee on health and environmental risks scher concluded that only a preliminary screening risk assessment was possible, based on existing knowledge at the time. Dental amalgam apparently was first used by the chinese. Right from the start, the use of amalgam was controversial. However in this format, mercury is bound into an inert, nontoxic form, and is not considered harmful to humans. For more detailed information and a full list of sources, download the iaomts. Some concerns have been raised regarding possible toxicity. Why am i being warned about potential exposure to mercury in dental amalgam fillings. Exposure to mercury during pregnancy can affect brain development. Pdf mercury contamination from dental amalgam anita tibau. Low levels of mercury released from dental amalgam.
Dental amalgam is one of the major product uses for mercury. Dental amalgam is a mixture of a silver alloy with mercury. Dental amalgam is an alloy composed of mixture of approximately equal parts of elemental liquid mercury and an alloy powder. Some countries have banned the use of dental amalgam for health or environmental reasons. Dental amalgam is a dental filling material which is used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Most people recognize dental amalgams as silver fillings. When responding to safety concerns it is important to make the distinction between known and hypothetical risks. The debate about the safety of dental amalgam continues today. Once captured by a separator, mercury can be recycled. Mercury in dental amalgam mercury in your environment.
Since 1984, the ada has recommended use of precapsulated amalgam alloy. Dental amalgam is a mixture of 50% metallic mercury with other metals, and there is concern that mercury can be released as vapour, ions or fine particles, which can be inhaled or ingested. Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for many years, despite periods of controversy. Read pdf on mercury from dental amalgam its toxic and allergic effects and some comments on occupational hygiene element which is used in dental amalgam points covered are. On mercury from dental amalgam its toxic and allergic. People who might be concerned about dental amalgam because it contains mercury can be reassured that credible scientific studies show no cause for alarm. Understanding risk assessment for mercury from dental amalgam. Mercury in dental amalgam mercury in your environment us epa. It is a major contributor of mercury in municipal wastewater. This has caused discussion about the risks of mercury in dental amalgam. Scope the present fdi policy statement covers dental amalgam for tooth restoration in the light of the special provisions for a phasedown in its use, contained in the 20 minamata convention on mercury1. Dental amalgam, an alloy of mercury and silver, has been in use for over 150 years for the treatment of dental cavities, due to its excellent mechanica l properties and durability.
Public health and the environment july 2016 issue summary dental amalgam is an alloy made by combining silver, copper, tin and zinc with mercury. Dental amalgam is created by mixing elemental mercury 43 54% and an alloy powder 4657% composed mainly of silver, tin, and copper. Dental amalgam, also known as silver fillings, is a restorative dental product consisting of approximately equal amounts of elemental mercury and alloy powder. In europe, johannes stokers, a municipal physician in ulm, germany, recommended amalgam as a filling material in 1528. There has long been an undercurrent of antiamalgam sentiment within the dental professionie, a mercuryfree movement. Massdep dental amalgammercury recycling program mass. Pdf oral lichenoid contact lesions to mercury and dental. Mercury, which makes up about 50 percent of the compound, is used to bind the metals together and to. Pdf mercury contamination from dental amalgam anita. Mercury in dental amalgam and resinbased alternatives. Su kung 659 ad mentioned the use of a mixture in the material medica. The subject of risk assessment is essential in the debate over whether the mercury exposure from dental amalgam is safe for unrestricted use. The department of environmental protection massdep in 2005 implemented a voluntary program in cooperation with the. Apr 19, 2015 amalgam wars third amalgam war began in 1980 primarily through the seminars and writings of dr.
In norway and sweden, dental amalgam is no longer in use. Mercury is liquid at room temperature, it reacts with other metals that are in solid state, to form a plastic mass, which can be conveniently packed into a prepared tooth preparation. Illogical dental amalgam policy by who and unep british. Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from the illegal diversion of dental mercury into the artisanal and smallscale gold mining sector, to crematoria emissions from the deceased and sewage sludge that is sold to farmers. Amalgam wars third amalgam war began in 1980 primarily through the seminars and writings of dr. Promoting the phase down of dental amalgam in developing. Amalgam has been used to restore teeth affected by decay for more than a hundred years. Amalgam information required for facilities that work with dental amalgam 1. Periodically throughout its history concerns have been raised about the potential human health effects due to the inhalation and absorption of mercury vapor from dental amalgam. Experimental data have demonstrated that the uptake, tissue. Quantification of mercury emissions from cremation of dental. Antibiotics, testosterone, msg, asparatame, and glyphosate found in roundup all make mercury poisoning worse.
Position statement of the american college of prosthodontists pdf link. The safety of dental amalgam and alternative dental. Dental effluent guidelines effluent guidelines us epa. The safety of dental amalgam and alternative dental restoration materials for patients and users 2 about the scientific committees three independent nonfood scientific committees provide the commission with the scientific advice it needs when preparing policy and proposals relating to consumer safety, public health and the environment. The information in the fact sheet is based on data submitted to the state members of the. This paper focuses on the local toxic effects of amalgam and mercury from dental restorations.
1543 963 1201 708 133 1523 488 500 203 1029 1341 783 1210 193 840 1371 941 491 92 713 992 1270 333 365 467 882 854 1158 32 512 1340 701 1260 892 482 254 1049 1220 133 215 1098 1103 1438