Long term changes in health complaints after removal of amalgam restorations.

Author: Björkman L, Sjursen TT, Dalen K, Lygre GB, Berge TL, Svahn J, Lundekvam BF.

Source: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica.

Year: 2017

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Patients previously referred to a specialty unit for health complaints attributed to amalgam restorations were included in the study. The 20 participants who were allocated to the treatment group had all amalgam restorations removed and replaced with other dental restorative materials. Intensity of health complaints was calculated from questionnaire data and personality variables were measured by MMPI-2.

RESULTS:
At the follow-up five years after the amalgam removal was completed, intensity of general health complaints was significantly reduced (p=.001), but the symptom load was still high. The reduction was significantly correlated with concentration of mercury in urine at pre-treatment. There were no significant correlations with personality variables.

CONCLUSIONS:
Removal of amalgam restorations was followed by a long term reduction of general health complaints, which was associated with mercury concentration in urine before amalgam removal. Additional studies are needed to confirm the potential mechanisms for the observed reduction.

Citation: Björkman L, Sjursen TT, Dalen K, Lygre GB, Berge TL, Svahn J, Lundekvam BF. Long term changes in health complaints after removal of amalgam restorations. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2017; 75(3):208-19.