Mercury Amalgams
The potential health problems caused by mercury released from dental fillings have caused controversy in the popular media. The concern is to what extent the released mercury may cause health problems. The truth is that amalgam restorations remain safe and effective. There is no evidence that dental amalgams cause serious health problems.
What are the major sources of mercury exposure?
- At least 2,700 tons of mercury are released into the atmosphere each year from the oceans and the Earth's crust.
- An additional 2,000 tons of mercury are released into the atmosphere every year by burning industrial waste.
- The population is exposed to methyl mercury (the most toxic form of mercury) primarily by eating fish. The organic mercury is concentrated in the tissues of fish.
- There is a continuous release of low doses of elemental mercury vapour from amalgam restorations.
- The mercury release is caused by the removal of an oxide layer from the surface of the amalgam restoration. The mercury that is released enters the body by breathing the mercury vapour and by swallowing the dissolved mercury.