Measurement of Mercury Concentration in Saliva of Selected Sample of Children in relation to Amalgam Fillings.

Main Article Content

Ban Ali Salih
Abdul Wahab T. Shakir

Abstract

Background: Dental amalgam fillings interact in a complex way with the environment in the oral cavity as they are
subjected to chemical, biological, mechanical, and thermal forces. These forces change the restoration’s
appearance and properties, causing metal ions, amalgam debris, non-metallic corrosion products, and mercury
released into the oral cavity. The aims of this study were Measure the concentration of mercury in saliva of children in
relation to the number of amalgam fillings before and after chewing and measure the continuous release of mercury
vapor from amalgam fillings in children and its relation to gender and age.
Materials and methods: The sample consists of 51 children between 8-10 years of age and they were divided into
three groups according to the number of amalgam fillings they have in their teeth (1st group children didn't have
amalgam fillings in their teeth, 2nd group children had 1-2 amalgam fillings, 3rd group children had ≥3 amalgam
fillings). Then saliva samples were collected from each child before and after chewing of sugar free chewing gum in
sterilized disposable cups.
Results: The results indicated that minute amount of mercury were continuously released from amalgam restorations
and the release is accelerated after stimulation (chewing).Also the results demonstrated a positive correlation
between the number of amalgam fillings and mercury concentration in saliva, mercury in saliva of children who
didn't have amalgam fillings in their teeth may come from other sources such as air, water and food. There was no
relation between mercury concentration in saliva of children and the gender and age of children.

Article Details

How to Cite
Salih, B. and Shakir, A. W. (2017) “Measurement of Mercury Concentration in Saliva of Selected Sample of Children in relation to Amalgam Fillings.”, Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry, 23(Special Is), pp. 134-140. Available at: http://jbcd.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/jbcd/article/view/1579 (Accessed: 29November2019).
Section
Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry