Journal of Dental Research, Vol 68, 1231-1233, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Effect of admixed indium on mercury vapor release from dental amalgam
L. V. Powell, G. H. Johnson and D. J. Bales
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of admixed indium on
the amount of mercury vapor released from dental amalgam. We made amalgam
specimens according to ADA Specification Number 1. We added various amounts
(0-14% by weight) of indium to the alloy powder. We also tested the
commercial amalgams Dispersalloy, Valiant, and Indiloy. Specimens were held
at 37 degrees C and 100% humidity. We used a Jerome Mercury Vapor Analyzer
(model 411) to measure the mercury vapor released. We analyzed the data by
means of ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls procedures. Admixed indium
significantly decreased the amount of mercury vapor released from dental
amalgams; the period of the greatest effect on mercury vapor released was
during the setting phase of amalgam; and dental amalgams with greater than
or equal to 8% admixed indium released the least amount of mercury vapor.
