In vivo/Ex vivo Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam Fillings in the Human Body and its Health Implications: An Overview of Clinical Studies

Mercury dental amalgam has a long history of ostensibly safe use despite its continuous release of elemental mercury vapor, inorganic mercury, metal ions and particles of amalgam. Mercury release from dental amalgam fillings implanted into the human body in dental/orthodontic surgery is becoming a major cause for concern on humans and environment. With the current ageing population, dental health is a major issue and current dental restorations still have shortcomings. Even though mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive material known to man, there has been an ongoing controversy about its safety since it was first introduced for use in dentistry. However, the health policies of different countries, world organizations and agencies have not reached a consensus on the use and safety of amalgam. This review has uncovered no convincing evidence pointing to any adverse health effects that are attributable to dental amalgam restorations besides hypersensitivity in some individuals. Finally, a collection of published clinical data on in vivo and ex vivo released mercury from dental amalgams in included.