title: Further investigations of the soft tissue reaction to the gamma 2 phase (Sn7-8Hg) of dental amalgam, including measurements of mercury release and redistribution.
abstract: Following the subcutaneous implantation in guinea pigs of powdered gamma 2 phase with a mercury content only slightly greater than that indicated by the stoichiometric formula Sn7Hg, there was a limited initial release of mercury from extracellular material. Thereafter, chronic granulomata developed around the implants and particles degraded slowly in macrophages and giant cells. Vast numbers of fine secondary particles containing tin were produced and these were associated with macroscopic staining. Mercury seemed to be lost as the result of intracellular particle breakdown but it did not accumulate in the body organs or appear to any great extent in the excreta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Eley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008422:Materials Testing; D008628:Mercury / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury