Biomaterial Database

Release of mercury vapor from corroding amalgam in vitro. 1993

R I Holland

NIOM, Scandinavian Institute of Dental Materials, Haslum, Norway.

The release of mercury vapor was determined from eleven different amalgams 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 conventional and high-copper materials. The mercury release rate decreased during the 24 h test period for all the amalgams except one containing indium. There was no significant difference in the total mercury release between the conventional and high-copper amalgams as groups. The same applied for the individual products, except the one containing indium, which released significantly more mercury vapor than the two products with the lowest release.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007204	Indium	A metallic element, atomic number 49, atomic weight 114.818, symbol In. It is named from its blue line in the spectrum.
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D003343	Corrosion	The gradual destruction of a metal or alloy due to oxidation or action of a chemical agent. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Corrosions
D003722	Dental Alloys	A mixture of metallic elements or compounds with other metallic or metalloid elements in varying proportions for use in restorative or prosthetic dentistry.	Alloy, Dental,Alloys, Dental,Dental Alloy
D003723	Dental Amalgam	An alloy used in restorative dentistry that contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and possibly zinc.	Amalgam, Dental,Amalgams, Dental,Dental Amalgams
D004570	Electrogalvanism, Intraoral	Chemical reaction that occurs when saliva comes into contact with the metals in dental fillings. This reaction can send electric currents through the brain causing negative symptoms.	Galvanism, Oral,Electrogalvanisms, Intraoral,Galvanisms, Oral,Intraoral Electrogalvanism,Intraoral Electrogalvanisms,Oral Galvanism,Oral Galvanisms
D006047	Gold Alloys	Alloys that contain a high percentage of gold. They are used in restorative or prosthetic dentistry.	Gold Alloy,Alloy, Gold,Alloys, Gold
D000704	Analysis of Variance	A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable.	ANOVA,Analysis, Variance,Variance Analysis,Analyses, Variance,Variance Analyses
D012834	Silver	An element with the atomic symbol Ag, atomic number 47, and atomic weight 107.87. It is a soft metal that is used medically in surgical instruments, dental prostheses, and alloys. Long-continued use of silver salts can lead to a form of poisoning known as ARGYRIA.