The fate of amalgam implanted in soft tissues -- an experimental study.
The soft tissue reaction to amalgam depended on whether it was finely ground or a solid mass. Finely ground amalgam was actively digested within macrophages and giant-cells with loss of mercury and the formation of the fine particles of silver and sulphur. Larger masses became surrounded by a fibrous capsule.
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008628:Mercury; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D010316:Particle Size; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012834:Silver; D013653:Tattooing; D013997:Time Factors; D014001:Tin
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012834:Silver; D014001:Tin; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003094:Collagen; D008628:Mercury