EFFECT OF SELENIUM ON MERCURY-VAPOR RELEASED FROM DENTAL AMALGAMS - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Wet corroded and air oxidized surfaces from different types of dental amalgams were used in this in vitro study. The mercury vapour released before and after standardized brushing with a conventional (ACTA) and an experimental selenium-containing toothpaste was examined. The resu lts showed differences between the wet corroded and the air oxidized s urfaces. High copper, non- gamma 2- amalgams, released more mercury va pour than the conventional one throughout the experiment. When the ama lgam surfaces were brushed with the conventional toothpaste, an increa se of the released vapour was noted. The use of the selenium containin g toothpaste resulted in all cases, in significantly lower amounts of mercury vapour.