Removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy alleviates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with amalgam-associated ill health.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment of patients suffering from chronic ill health with a multitude of symptoms associated with metal exposure from dental amalgam and other metal alloys.


METHODS
We included 796 patients in a retrospective study using a questionnaire about symptom changes, changes in quality of life as a consequence of treatment and assessment of care taking.


METHODS
Treatment of the patients by removal of offending dental metals and concomitant antioxidant therapy was implemented according to the Uppsala model based on a close co-operation between physicians and dentists.


RESULTS
More than 70% of the responders, remaining after exclusion of those who had not begun or completed removal, reported substantial recovery and increased quality of life. Comparison with similar studies showed accordance of the main results. Plasma concentrations of mercury before and after treatment supported the metal exposure to be causative for the ill health.


RESULTS
Treatment according to the Uppsala model proved to be adequate for more than 70% of the patients. Patients with a high probability to respond successfully to current therapy might be detected by symptom profiles before treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis that metal exposure from dental amalgam can cause ill health in a susceptible part of the exposed population was supported. Further research is warranted to develop laboratory tests to support identification of the group of patients responding to current therapy as well as to find out causes of problems in the group with no or negative results.
Lindh
Ulf
U
Department of Oncology, Radiology and Clinical Immunology, Rudbeck Laboratory, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Ulf.Lindh@bms.uu.se
Hudecek
Romuald
R
Danersund
Antero
A
Eriksson
Sture
S
Lindvall
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015984:Causality; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003814:Dentistry, Operative; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D020878:Device Removal; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury