[Dental amalgam and multiple sclerosis: what is the connection?].
BACKGROUND
There is some debate concerning a possible relationship between dental fillings and multiple sclerosis. Many patients ask their dentist to remove fillings.


RESULTS
Dental fillings contain mercury (more than 50%) which can cross the blood-brain barrier. Massive mercurial intoxication is neurotoxic both for the central and peripheral nervous system. Dental fillings release as much mercury in 24 hours as is ingested in a normal meal, i.e. a level well under the neurotoxicity level.
Mercurial poisoning is histologically, clinically, immunologically, and toxicollogically different from multiple sclerosis. Based on data available today, it is not warranted to propose removing dental fillings.
Moreau
T
T
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
Loudenot
V
V
D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009498:Neurotoxins
D009498:Neurotoxins; D003723:Dental Amalgam