Whole-body imaging of the distribution of mercury released from dental fillings into monkey tissues.

Author: Hahn LJ, Kloiber R, Leininger RW, Vimy MJ, Lorscheider FL.

Source: FASEB J.

Year: 1990

Comment:

This study finds that mercury from amalgam fillings can result in mercury being stored in the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and jaw.

Abstract / Excerpt:

“The fate of mercury (Hg) released from dental “silver” amalgam tooth fillings into human mouth air is uncertain. A previous report about sheep revealed uptake routes and distribution of amalgam Hg among body tissues. The present investigation demonstrates the bodily distribution of amalgam Hg in a monkey whose dentition, diet, feeding regimen, and chewing pattern closely resemble those of humans. When amalgam fillings, which normally contain 50% Hg, are made with a tracer of radioactive 203Hg and then placed into monkey teeth, the isotope appears in high concentration in various organs and tissues within 4 wk. Whole-body images of the monkey revealed that the highest levels of Hg were located in the kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and jaw. The dental profession’s advocacy of silver amalgam as a stable tooth restorative material is not supported by these findings.”

Citation:

Hahn LJ, Kloiber R, Leininger RW, Vimy MJ, Lorscheider FL.  Whole-body imaging of the distribution of mercury released from dental fillings into monkey tissues.  FASEB J. 1990; 4(14):3256-3260.