Mercury levels in plasma and urine after removal of all amalgam restorations: the effect of using rubber dams.

Author: Berglund A, Molin M.

Source: Dental Materials.

Year: 1997

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

RESULTS:
After removal of all amalgam restorations, only the non-rubber dam group showed significant increases in the mercury levels found in plasma (p = 0.012) and urine (p = 0.037). However, one year later, the mercury levels in plasma and urine had sunk significantly below the pre-removal levels for both groups. When the changes in the mercury levels found were compared between the groups, the non-rubber dam group showed a significantly higher increase of mercury in plasma than the rubber dam group the day after removal (p = 0.0010). Compared to the pre-removal mercury levels in plasma and urine, the levels found 1 y after removal of all amalgam restorations were on average 52 +/- 23% (range 4-89%) lower in plasma and 76 +/- 21% (range 20-94%) lower in urine.

SIGNIFICANCE:
The study showed that dental amalgam had a statistically significant impact on the mercury levels found in plasma and urine in the patients tested, and that the use of a rubber dam during removal of all amalgam restorations significantly reduced the peak of mercury in plasma following removal.

Citation: Berglund A, Molin M. Mercury levels in plasma and urine after removal of all amalgam restorations: the effect of using rubber dams. Dental Materials. 1997; 13(5):297-304.