Charging people's batteries.

Author: Huggins HA.

Source: International Journal of Orthodontics.

Year: 1984

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

Galvanism is seldom mentioned to the dental student, yet nearly every dentist alters a patient’s galvanic current every time he treats him. Galvanism is electrical current produced by placing dissimilar metals inan electrolyte. Saliva is the electrolyte. The dental dissimilar metal list is seemingly inexhaustive. We place copper, tin, zinc, mercury, silver, gold, platinum, irridium, indium, paladium, cobalt, chromium, nickle and baryllium into this electrolyte. A battery is produced. Electrical current is generated. Electricity doesn’t just exist. It is the simultaneous biproduct of a chemical reaction between the various phases of metallic interaction in the mouth. As electrical current is generated, various ions of these metals are emitted into the saliva. Many of these metals, or their corrosion products, are known toxins. Among them is mercury.

Citation: Huggins HA. Charging people's batteries. International Journal of Orthodontics. 1984;22(4):14-7.