POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS OF DENTAL AMALGAM RESTORATIONS .1. AN ORAL ANDMEDICAL INVESTIGATION

The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between he alth status and self-reported adverse effects related to dental amalga m restorations. A group of 50 consecutive patients (index group), refe rred for complaints self-related to dental amalgam restorations, was c ompared with a control group of individuals matched by age, sex and po stal zip code. The patients underwent an oral, stomatognathic, medical and clinical chemistry examination. Mercury levels were examined in b lood, urine and hair. The results revealed that somatic diseases were more common in the index group (38% versus 6%). Symptoms related to cr anio-mandibular dysfunction were reported by 74% of the patients in th e index group versus 24% in the control group, and were diagnosed in 6 2% and 36%, respectively. The oral health status and the number of ama lgam surfaces were similar in the 2 groups. No positive skin patch tes t to mercury was found in any of the groups. The estimated mercury int ake from fish consumption, occupational exposure, and mercury levels i n blood and urine were also similar and far below levels, where negati ve health effects would be expected. The correlation between the numbe r of amalgam surfaces and mercury levels in plasma and urine (r = 0.43 ) indicated a release of mercury from dental amalgam restorations in b oth groups. Since the mercury levels were similar among index patients and controls, mercury was not a likely cause of the impaired health r eported by the patients.