title: Amalgam--resurrection and redemption. Part 2: The medical mythology of anti-amalgam.
abstract: Mercury-containing amalgam restorative material has come under attack for its alleged harmful effects on systemic health. A literature search revealed that amalgam restorations release small quantities of mercury but apparently not enough to cause systemic health problems. Mercury from dental amalgam restorations cannot be linked to kidney damage, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, other central nervous system diseases, "amalgam disease," mental disorders, damage to the immune system, increases in antibiotic resistance, or harmful reproductive effects. Dentists occupationally exposed to mercury have not been shown to suffer harmful reproductive or other systemic health effects, provided proper mercury hygiene is used. There are legitimate health concerns about alternative restorative materials, including resin composite. According to the latest scientific information available, dental amalgam remains a safe and effective restorative material.
authors.affiliation: WahlMichaelJ@aol.com
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wahl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D003797:Dental Staff; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury