• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.425-430
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between amalgam restorations and urinary mercury levels in children for 1 year. Amalgam restoration has been widely used for over 200 years. But released mercury from amalgam can increase the concentration of mercury in the body. Methods : The subjects were 463 elementary school children. Oral examination, urine sampling, and questionnaire survey were performed at baseline and after 1 year. Results : Amalgam restoration increased the urinary mercury level to $0.55{\pm}0.13{\mu}g/g$ creatinine. In the regression analysis, variation of urinary mercury excretion were positively associated with amalgam surfaces and fish consumption. Conclusions : Small amount of mercury release from amalgam restoration was closely associated with increasing urinary mercury level.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.198-201
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• 2005

Nickel amalgam was Prepared by the electro-deposition with mercury cathode in a modified Watts bath. Homogeneous nickel amalgam was obtained. The fluidity of the amalgam decreased gradually with increased nickel quantity and become solid finally. Nickel powders of sub-micron size were obtained by a distillation of mercury from the amalgam. The characterization of the nickel amalgam was studied by SEM and x-ray diffractometry.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2023

Background: The association between dental amalgam fillings and urine mercury concentrations was investigated in this study to assess the health risks associated with dental amalgams. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 99 women in their 20s who visited the dental clinic in Daegu, Korea. The 99 participants were composed of 68 subjects who had dental amalgam fillings (exposure group) and 31 subjects who did not have dental amalgam fillings (nonexposure group). Oral examinations were conducted by a single dental hygienist, sociodemographic features were investigated as confounding variables, and urine mercury concentrations were measured using an automatic mercury analyzer. Results: The mean±standard deviation of the urine mercury concentrations of the exposure and nonexposure groups were 1.50±1.78 ㎍/g creatinine and 0.53±0.63 ㎍/g creatinine, respectively. The exposure group showed significantly higher levels than the nonexposure group (p<0.01). The urine mercury concentration significantly increased with an increase in the number of teeth filled with amalgam, cavity surfaces involved, and number of defective amalgam fillings, and according to the latest exposure time (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis of amalgam-related factors and urine mercury concentrations after correction for confounding factors, the urine mercury concentration in the group with six or more amalgam-filled teeth, 11 or more cavity surfaces, and two or more defective amalgams was significantly higher than that in the nonexposure group (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to this study, exposure to dental amalgams was confirmed to significantly affect urine mercury concentrations.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 1984

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the speed of grinding and coolants on mercury vaporization during amalgam removal. Forty amalgam filled stone dies were stored at $37^{\circ}C$ and 100% relative humidity for 7 days prior to the beginning of the mercury vapor experiment and were divided into 4 different groups; In Group I; Used by high speed without coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group II; Used by high speed with coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group III; Used by low speed without coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group IV; Used by low speed with coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. The amalgam specimens were removed in a 30-second time period and mercury vapor was collected with membrane filter at 27mm from the site of removal and 45 degree above there. Samples in Group II, IV were removed with coolant spray at a flow rate of 30 ml/min with high-velocity evacuator. Mercury vapor collected membrane filter was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer using cold vapor method. The results were as follows; 1. The mercury vapor levels were obtained all of the Groups. 2. The mercury vapor levels of the Group II, IV (with coolant & evacuator) were less than that of the Group I, III (without coolant & evacuator). 3. The highest mercury vapor level recorded during amalgam removal procedure was Group I (used by high speed without coolant & evacuator) and its record was $0.78{\pm}0.09\;mg/m^3$, which exceed the T.L.V. by 15 times. 4. The mercury vapor level of the Group IV (used by low speed with coolant & evacuator) was more than that of the Group II (used by high speed with coolant & evacuator), but its difference was not significant, statistically. (p > 0.05)

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2011

The notion that dental amalgam is a potential source of mercury exposure remains a controversial issue. However, there are few epidemiological analyses that have addressed whether this occurs in children. We aimed in our current study to identify the relationship between dental amalgam filling surfaces and the blood mercury levels in a cohort of 711 South Korean children aged between 8-9 years. Oral examinations were conducted to detect the number of amalgam filling surfaces on the teeth of these individuals. Blood samples were also taken from these children to assess the levels of mercury accumulation in the body. The amalgam filling surfaces were classified into four groups based on their number: 0 (n = 368), 1-5 (n = 219), 6-10 (n = 89), and 11+ (n = 35). The blood mercury levels in the children with more than 10 amalgam surfaces was 0.47 ${\mu}g$/L higher on average than those with no amalgam surfaces after adjusting for the frequency of fish or seafood consumption, age, and gender (P < 0.05). We found from our data that a higher number of dental amalgam fillings correlated with a higher blood mercury level in Korean children. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these elevated mercury levels exert neurotoxic or nephrotoxic effects.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.431-438
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was assessment of the variation of urinary mercury concentrations after removal of amalgam fillings in children. Methods : 10 elemental school children with amalgam filling tooth surfaces were took part in this study. One dentist recorded the number of amalgam filling surface, and general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by questionnaire. Each urine samples were collected before, immediately after and after 24 hours amalgam removal. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. Results : The mean concentration urinary mercury immediately after amalgam removal was higher ($5.70{\pm}1.20{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) than before amalgam removal ($5.28{\pm}1.53{\mu}g/g$ creatinine). The mean concentration urinary mercury level whose have 1-10 amalgam removal surfaces was increased after amalgam removal compared with before. Conclusions : Mercury concentration in urine was influenced by amalgam removal.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.531-540
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, following the cavity restorations with low copper conventional alloy, high copper admixed one and high copper unicompositional one, which are used the most frequently in a clinical setting at the present, to experiment the time-dependent changes of strength, bubbles were examined. Besides, to examine the detrimental effects of mercury contained in dental amalgam, the amount of mercury release was evaluated. Methods : As dental amalgams which were used herein, [BESTALOY], [Hi-Aristaloy 21] and [Sybraloy] were selected for a low-copper conventional amalgam, a high-copper admixed one and a high-copper unicompositional one in the corresponding order. The formation of bubbles and the weight ratio of mercury release were evaluated using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Thus, the following results were obtained: Results : 1. The time-dependent amount of mercury release reached a statistical significance in three types of alloys, which was shown in such a descending order as [BESTALOY], [Hi-Aristaloy 21] and [Sybraloy]. 2. A low-copper conventional type, BESTALOY is a cutting type and it was found to have an increased formation of fine bubbles. In the remaining two types, [Hi-Aristaloy 21] (a high-copper admixed alloy) and [Sybraloy] (a high-copper unicompositional alloy), the time-dependent changes in the formation of bubbles was negligible. Conclusions : Accordingly, this type of mercury release from amalgam alloy denotes the difference in the weight ratio of total constituents between after 24 hours and after two weeks. But further studies are warranted to examine the amount of mercury release which is detrimental to human bodies. Besides, a low-copper conventional alloy is a cutting type and it was characterized by the abundant formation of bubbles in a time-dependent manner. This implies that the strength of amalgam is impaired, which should be considered in selecting the appropriate amalgam alloy in a clinical setting.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of urinary mercury and analyze which factors would affect urinary mercury concentration among dental hygienists in dental clinics. Methods: This study conducted by questionnaire and detection of urinary mercury concentration of 268 dental hygienists working in dental clinics from July to August of 2009. Data collected from two hundred and thirty-five dental hygienists were analyzed by the geometric mean (GM). Analytical results of urine samples with less than 0.3 g creatinine/L and greater than 3g creatinine/L were excluded from statistical analysis. Results: Urinary mercury concentration of 235 dental hygienists showed the geometric distribution. The arithmetic and geometric means of urinary mercury concentration were $0.996{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $0.755{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Conclusions: The level of urinary mercury in dental hygienists was higher than in general Korean population. The number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Therefore using resin materials instead of amalgam in dental clinics is highly desirable.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2012

Dental amalgam is an alloy composed of a mixture of approximately equal parts of elemental liquid mercury and an alloy powder. Amalgam has been the most popular and effective restorative material used in dentistry. Despite the long history and popularity of dental amalgam as a restorative material, there have been periodic concerns regarding the potential adverse health effects arising from exposure to mercury in amalgam. Since children are more at risk for mercury toxicity, we aimed to assess the association between dental amalgam filling and urinary mercury concentration in children. 581 of elementary school children in grades 1st4th were conveniently recruited from two schools located in Daegu city, Korea. To obtain dental caries experience states, oral examination were conducted using the full term for DFS index, number of amalgam filling surfaces and the type of filling materials. A questionnaire was used to collect information about general characteristics and the frequencies of tooth brushing, gum chewing and fish/seafood consumption. The statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 18.0 program. The mean urinary mercury concentration in children having more surfaces was highest. As a results Urinary mercury concentration of children who have 79 teeth of amalgam filling and more than 10 is higher than without amalgam filling. The number of amalgam filling surface is closely related with urinary mercury concentration.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2014

This study aims to evaluate the impact of varying exposure to dental amalgam on urinary mercury levels in children by measuring the number of amalgam-filled teeth and the variance of mercury concentration in urine over a period of 2 years. A total of 317 (male 158, female 159) elementary school children (1st~4th graders) attending 2 schools in urban regions participated in this study. At 6-month intervals, 4 oral examinations were conducted to check any variance in the conditions of dental caries and the status of dental fillings. Also, urine tests were conducted followed by a questionnaire survey. To elucidate the factors potentially affecting the mercury concentration in urine, t-test, ANOVA, chi-square test and a mixed model were used for the analysis. Regarding the status of dental fillings in line with examination time periods, deciduous teeth had more amalgam-filled surfaces than those filled with resin, whereas permanent teeth had more resin-filled surfaces than those filled with amalgam. A significant relevance was found between the exposure to dental amalgam and urinary mercury levels. Specifically, subjects whose teeth surfaces had been filled with dental amalgam showed higher urinary mercury levels than those who had no dental amalgam fillings. Based on the analysis using the mixed model, the increase in the number of teeth surfaces filled with amalgam was found to be the factor affecting the increase in urinary mercury levels. The urinary mercury levels were found to be highly associated with the exposure to dental amalgam. The more the teeth surfaces filled with amalgam, the higher the urinary mercury levels. Hence, even a trace of dental amalgam fillings can liberate mercury, affecting the variance in the urinary mercury levels. These findings suggest that some criteria or measures should be developed to minimize the exposure to dental amalgam. Moreover, relevant further studies are warranted.