Journal of Dental Research, Vol 69, 1607-1609, Copyright © 1990 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Effect of placement of amalgam restorations on urinary mercury concentration
M. L. Olstad, R. I. Holland and A. H. Pettersen
Public Dental Service, Gudbrandsdalsveien, Lillehammer, Norway.
Dental amalgam emits mercury, especially during setting. In addition, the
preparation of the amalgam and its compaction into the cavity involve
unbound metallic mercury or create a waste product with free metallic
mercury. The present study was performed to explore whether emission of
mercury in these situations would measurably influence the individual
urinary mercury concentration of dental patients as a result of a
single-session treatment with dental amalgam restorations. Informed consent
was obtained from the patients of nine children about to be treated with
amalgam restorations as part of their regular dental care. The children
delivered a total of five morning urine samples before, during, and after
the treatment period. No effect on the urine mercury concentration was
found during the treatment period. Conclusively, one single session of
amalgam treatment did not per se represent a mercury exposure of sufficient
quantity to be detectable in a longitudinal, individual study.
