New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds

Date:
December 12, 2009
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought.
Share:
FULL STORY

A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought.

It appears online in ACS' journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.

In the study, Graham George and colleagues note that mercury-based fillings, also called amalgams, have been used by dentists to repair teeth for well-over a century. In recent decades their use has become controversial because of concerns about exposure to potentially toxic mercury. However, mercury can potentially exist in several different chemical forms, each with a different toxicity. Prior to this report, little was known about how the chemical forms of mercury in dental amalgam might change over time.

Using a special X-ray technique, the scientists analyzed the surface of freshly prepared metal fillings and compared these with the surface of aged fillings (about 20 years old) from a dental clinic. Fresh fillings contained metallic mercury, which can be toxic. Aged fillings, however, typically contain a form of mercury, called beta-mercuric sulfide or metacinnabar, which is unlikely to be toxic in the body.

The scientists found that the surfaces of metal fillings seem to lose up to 95 percent of their mercury over time. Loss of potentially toxic mercury from amalgam may be due to evaporation, exposure to some kinds of dental hygiene products, exposure to certain foods, or other factors.

The scientists caution that "human exposure to mercury lost from fillings is still of concern."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. George et al. The Chemical Forms of Mercury in Aged and Fresh Dental Amalgam Surfaces. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2009; 22 (11): 1761 DOI: 10.1021/tx900309c

Cite This Page:

American Chemical Society. "Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 December 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091209121206.htm>.
American Chemical Society. (2009, December 12). Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091209121206.htm
American Chemical Society. "Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091209121206.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES