Current estimates indicate that less than 1% of the mercury released into the environment comes from dental preparations and uses. The majority of mercury from dentistry-related origin is in the form of elemental mercury in amalgam and not methylmercury, which is the form of mercury of particular environmental concern. Dental amalgam material has been controversial for years because of the health hazards of mercury.
Therefore, it is necessary to review the safety and performance of dental amalgam as a restorative material and its potentially harmful effects to patients and the dental care personnel. Various claims have been made about systemic conditions, particularly neurologic and psychologic effects, with amalgam as the suspected causal agent. However, the scientific evidence for risks of adverse systemic effects is inconclusive and the current use of dental amalgam does not pose a…
