Author: Brune D, Gjerdet N, Paulsen G.
Source: Scand J Dent Res.
Year: 1983
Comment:
Among other data, the researchers of this study found, "The present in vitro study also revealed a high degree of release of mercury from the copper amalgam. Following the gastrointestinal administration, the amounts of mercury released from this amalgam were at about the same level as those released from the conventional amalgam."
Abstract / Excerpt:
“Particles of a conventional lathe-cut, a spherical non-gamma 2 and a copper amalgam have been gastrointestinally administered to rats for the purpose of evaluation of the dissolution resistance. The animals were sacrificed after 20 hrs. The contents of copper, cadmium, indium, mercury and zinc in kidney, liver, lung or blood were measured using nuclear tracer techniques. From a copper amalgam an extreme release of copper was demonstrated. This study stimulates the clinical condition of elemental release from swallowed amalgam particles after amalgam insertion or after removal of old amalgam fillings. Specimens of the same types of amalgams were also exposed to artificial saliva for a period of 10 days. The amounts of copper and mercury released were measured with flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry respectively. The levels of copper and mercury released from the copper amalgam were approximately 50 times those of the two other amalgam types studied.”
Citation:
Brune D, Gjerdet N, Paulsen G. Gastrointestinal and in vitro release of copper, cadmium, indium, mercury and zinc from conventional and copper-rich amalgams. Scand J Dent Res. 1983; 91(1):66-71.