RELEASE OF MERCURY-VAPOR FROM CORRODING AMALGAM IN-VITRO

The release of mercury vapor was determined from eleven different amal gams exposed to externally induced corrosion by galvanic contact with a dental casting gold alloy. The electrolyte was an artificial saliva solution at 37-degrees-C. The corrosion rates of the amalgams could be divided into two groups corresponding to the grouping into convention al and high-copper materials. The mercury release rate decreased durin g the 24 h test period for all the amalgams except one containing indi um. There was no significant difference in the total mercury release b etween the conventional and high-copper amalgams as groups. The same a pplied for the individual products, except the one containing indium, which released significantly more mercury vapor than the two products with the lowest release.