Dental Amalgam: Poison in your mouth

Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for many years, despite periods of controversy. A study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh to identify dental amalgam users in Bangladesh and to assess people's perception on harmful effects of mercury dental amalgam. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from urban (Dhaka city) and rural area (few villages of Natore and Rajshahi districts). 300 interviewees from 5 different age groups were taken into consideration for collecting required information. The study revealed that 22% peoples are the users of dental amalgam in rural areas, while, 33% are recorded in urban areas. Overall dental amalgam user and non-user in Bangladesh consist of 28.1% and 71.9% respectively. Moreover, the study revealed that majority (84.8%) of the people in Bangladesh is unaware about the impacts of dental amalgam on human health and environment which is more than five and half times higher compared to those of aware (15.2%). The study showed that awareness level varied significantly in different age groups. Highest (23.1%) level of awareness was recorded in >50 years age group, whereas, lowest (8.7%) in <20 years age group. This study suggests that government should formulate a policy to ban on mercury dental amalgam trade and use. Moreover, dentists, oral health therapists and dental hygienists should avoid the use of mercury dental amalgam. In addition, patient should go for the use of alternatives of dental amalgam.

2014

The journal of contemporary dental practice

The objective of this study is to evaluate the awareness of patients with dental fillings about the toxicity of mercury in dental amalgam. Adult patients having at least one amalgam filling in their mouth were recruited in the Oral Diagnosis Department of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife Dental Hospital. Participants were recruited consecutively as they report in the clinic. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on standard questions from relevant publications. They were asked to indicate the type of filling material in their mouth, ingredients of the material, previous knowledge of mercury in dental amalgam and ailments due to mercury. They were to indicate their level of agreement with filling their cavities with dental amalgam despite prior information about its mercury content. There were about 446 respondents analyzed; male, 194 (43.5%); female 252 (56.5%). Six (1.4%) and 21 (4.7%) respondents were primary and secondary schools students respectively; 15(3.4%) had ...

Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 2015

The study was done to find out the methods for dispensing the dental amalgam and its disposal in three dental teaching hospitals of Peshawar according to American Dental Association (ADA) Standard and International Standard Organization Standard (ISO). A specially designed questionnaire was sent for this study. The results showed that none of the dental teaching hospital in Peshawar follows the ADA and ISO standard for the disposal and recycling the amalgam waste. Only 9 % claimed using the chair side traps and install amalgam separator at chair side, 64% used the hand mixing alloy/mercury procedure. Number of amalgam fillings done and removed by three dental hospitals per month were 2027 and 267 respectively. It was concluded that total amalgam waste was 3.204 kg in three dental hospitals in one year, and proper measures should be taken for the dispensing and disposal of amalgam.

Materia Socio Medica, 2009

Abstract This study aimed to identify the measures taken by dentists in Salfit and Nablus districts to manage dental solid waste, in addition to identify the occupational hazards resulting from their practice. Also, it is to analyze the components of the dental waste and their percentages. Then can be considered as national strategy to all Palestine. Data was collected by two means: the first one was a questionnaire that was distributed simple randomly sample to a 100 of dentists (one dentist from each dental clinic) and the second was through the collection of dental solid waste clinics in Nablus and Salfit governorates and segregating them into several categories. Each category was weighed separately, and the percentage of each component was recorded. This study shows that the majority of dentists dispose their waste through trash. About 71% of the dentists always wear masks during their practice. All of them were vaccinated against hepatitis type B. The study also demonstrated that 45% of the dentists complain of tension and 29 % of them complain of headaches. These are the two of most important occupational health problems among dentists. There is lack of available resources required for disposal of dental waste, such as special boxes, sacks, and special equipment and devices. A large number of dentists (96% for example does not a have a system for recycling dental waste) did not pay attention to the management of medical waste properly, although they were aware of its importance. The study reveals that there is 57.2g/patient/day total dental waste, out of them 39.0g/patient/day infectious and 15.4g/patient/day domestic. Dental waste generation in rural areas (76.5 g/patient /day) is more than urban areas (44.4 g/ patient /day). The demographic factors should be taken into consideration when designing any awareness campaign or refreshing course. Age of dentist, years of experience, graduation country, gender of dentist, and residence location are all important factors that affect practices and attitudes of dentists. Finally, the study shows that the current disposal methods of dental clinic waste, sterilization methods, preventive and mitigation measures, and other occupational safety and health followed in most of the dental clinics in Salfit and Nablus were not sufficient and not effective. The concerned authorities should carry out rapid intervention and measures in order to increase awareness of health and safety career in dental clinics.

BioMetals, 2014

Mercury dental amalgam has a long history of ostensibly safe use despite its continuous release of mercury vapor. Two key studies known as the Children's Amalgam Trials are widely cited as evidence of safety. However, four recent reanalyses of one of these trials now suggest harm, particularly to boys with common genetic variants. These and other studies suggest that susceptibility to mercury toxicity differs among individuals based on multiple genes, not all of which have been identified. These studies further suggest that the levels of exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgams may be unsafe for certain subpopulations. Moreover, a simple comparison of typical exposures versus regulatory safety standards suggests that many people receive unsafe exposures. Chronic mercury toxicity is especially insidious because symptoms are variable and nonspecific, diagnostic tests are often misunderstood, and treatments are speculative at best. Throughout the world, efforts are underway to phase down or eliminate the use of mercury dental amalgam.

International Journal of Dentistry, 2011

Objective. The purpose of this review paper is to review the literature regarding the toxicology of mercury from dental amalgam and evaluate current statements on dental amalgam. Materials and Methods. Two key-words "dental amalgam" and "toxicity" were used to search publications on dental amalgam biocompatibility published in peer-reviewed journals written in English. Manual search was also conducted. The most recent declarations and statements were evaluated using information available on the internet. Case reports were excluded from the study. Results. The literature show that mercury released from dental amalgam restorations does not contribute to systemic disease or systemic toxicological effects. No significant effects on the immune system have been demonstrated with the amounts of mercury released from dental amalgam restorations. Only very rarely have there been reported allergic reactions to mercury from amalgam restorations. No evidence supports a relationship between mercury released from dental amalgam and neurological diseases. Almost all of the declarations accessed by the internet stated by official organizations concluded that current data are not sufficient to relate various complaints and mercury release from dental amalgam. Conclusions. Available scientific data do not justify the discontinuation of amalgam use from dental practice or replacement with alternative restorative dental materials.

International journal of dentistry, 2011

Objective. The purpose of this review paper is to review the literature regarding the toxicology of mercury from dental amalgam and evaluate current statements on dental amalgam. Materials and Methods. Two key-words "dental amalgam" and "toxicity" were used to search publications on dental amalgam biocompatibility published in peer-reviewed journals written in English. Manual search was also conducted. The most recent declarations and statements were evaluated using information available on the internet. Case reports were excluded from the study. Results. The literature show that mercury released from dental amalgam restorations does not contribute to systemic disease or systemic toxicological effects. No significant effects on the immune system have been demonstrated with the amounts of mercury released from dental amalgam restorations. Only very rarely have there been reported allergic reactions to mercury from amalgam restorations. No evidence supports a relationship between mercury released from dental amalgam and neurological diseases. Almost all of the declarations accessed by the internet stated by official organizations concluded that current data are not sufficient to relate various complaints and mercury release from dental amalgam. Conclusions. Available scientific data do not justify the discontinuation of amalgam use from dental practice or replacement with alternative restorative dental materials.