Dental Amalgam

Dental Amalgam

Amalgam consists of mercury and other metals. Amalgam is an alloy of mercury and other metals, eg copper, tin and silver. Alloy is the chemical term for a mixture of two or more metals.

The dental amalgam fillings contain about 50 percent mercury. This mercury can be released from the alloy. Most of the release is in the form of mercury gas, which is mainly absorbed through the lungs into the body.

Many complaints are not scientifically recognized. Most of it comes from amalgam fillings do not jump to a poisoning. The symptoms are often nonspecific. Are scientifically recognized to date, only the amalgam allergy and local changes in the oral mucosa.

Complaints
Many complaints can be attributed to different causes. Those affected often complain of nonspecific symptoms, such as:

  • Easy fatigability
  • Irritability
  • Loss of memory
  • Depressive mood
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Severe performance
  • Headache
  • Concentration problems
  • Increased susceptibility to infection
  • Increased susceptibility to allergies and other substances
  • Facial

Currently recognized on amalgam repatriated complaints relate to the mouth area. Despite many perceived symptoms are scientifically recognized only the following symptoms:

  • Burning tongue
  • Metallic taste
  • Loss of taste or other sensations in the mouth
  • After dental visit increased symptoms

Changes in the oral mucosa and the gums may occur. On examination by the doctor the following changes can be detected:

  • Mucositis, stomatitis in lingo.
  • An inflammation of the gums, which experts gingivitis.
  • Aphthae are an erosion of the oral mucosa with whitish fibrin and inflammatory rim.

Knötchenflechte in the oral mucosa Lichen planus and lichen planus is the technical term for a flat Knötchenflechte, an inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which belongs to the group of skin rashes.

Erythema, papules and pustules on the face with perioral dermatitis. Especially for large and heavily corroded amalgam fillings can lead to a perioral dermatitis. This is swelling of the skin in the central facial area. The skin is very red and are having papules and pustules.

In addition, the male and female fertility may be affected by the metal contamination with mercury.

Therapy

All amalgam fillings must be removed. First is the removal of all amalgam fillings. One should also think of hidden panels, for example, under crowns. Before treatment should definitely be resolved with the insurance company to cover it. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not perform amalgam restoration.

Selenium binds mercury. Before and after the liberated mercury amalgam restoration should be inactivated by selenium. Selenium and mercury combine to form a complex that has no effect in the body.

Zinksubstitution and antioxidants to supplement the therapy. Low zinc levels are detected, so zinc should be supplied. To limit the damaging effects of free radicals, antioxidants should be given. Are most suitable vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin D.

DMPS excretion is controversial. A draining therapy with DMPS (sodium dimercaptopropanesulphonic acid), as recommended for chronic poisoning with mercury and lead, has been controversial for an amalgam restoration.

Prevention
Dental hygiene from early childhood to prevent tooth decay. To avoid illness, if possible, everyone can do something. In particular, a correct and comprehensive dental and oral hygiene from an early age reduces the incidence of caries. Furthermore kariesauslösende foods should be avoided.

Teeth must be cleaned frequently and properly.

Brush your teeth is the best Vorstorge
Other measures are:

  • Brushing teeth after every meal.
  • Seal all teeth (except the incisors) at the age of 6, 12 and 18 years of varnish can.
  • Balanced nutrition
  • Prevention with fluorine, for example, in toothpaste
  • When defects do not use amalgam fillings, but composite fillings, gold or ceramic inlays.
  • Chew Who has amalgam fillings: Not chewing gum, and avoid hot and sour dishes.

Dental Supplies

Dental amalgam, a material “safe and effective”

Dental amalgam, a material

Encapsulated amalgam, a filling made from a combination of mercury with silver, copper or tin, has been listed as safe and effective material by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), located in the same category of class II medical device that have gold fillings and composite resin for use in dental restorations.

Dr. Susan Runner, head of the FDA, said that “patients with dental amalgam fillings are not endangered by the adverse health effects associated with mercury. As stated by “prolonged trials in adults and children six years and older with dental amalgam fillings, have not established a causal connection between it and adverse health effects.

Runner explained that some patients “suffer from allergies or sensitivity to mercury or other metals used in dental amalgams” so that such patients may develop “Contact reactions” within the oral cavity.

To address the needs of these patients, Dr. Runner indicated that “the FDA is organizing special controls for dental amalgam to help provide reasonable assurance on its safety and effectiveness.”

In this sense, the U.S. agency advised caution against the use of amalgam in patients with mercury allergy, use ventilation when handling this material and present clearly and succinctly the benefits and risks of the technique before applying it to the patient.