Mercury exposure from dental amalgam: a 6 month follow-up.
10.11149/jkaoh.2012.36.4.297
- Author:
Hye Jin BAEK
1
;
Youn Hee CHOI
;
Joon SAKONG
;
Young Eun LEE
;
Hee Kyung LEE
;
Myoung Uk JIN
;
Keun Bae SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry, Daegu, Korea. cyh1001@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Children;
Dental amalgam;
Mercury;
Urine
- MeSH:
Child;
Creatinine;
Dental Amalgam;
Dentists;
Diagnosis, Oral;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Mouth;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2012;36(4):297-302
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Dental amalgam is a widely used filling material for oral cavity. The released mercury vapor from amalgam could have systemic adverse effects potentially. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between dental amalgam and urinary mercury levels in children during a 6-month timespan. METHODS: A total of 525 elementary school children participated in this study. Oral examination was carried out from one dentist. Urine samples collected at baseline and at 6 month were analyzed for mercury and creatinine excretion. Additionally, general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by a questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Greater amalgam surfaces were associated to higher urinary mercury levels; this tendency was similar at the 6-month observation after the correct baseline data. In the multivariable model, urinary mercury excretion was only associated with amalgam surfaces positively. CONCLUSIONS: Even a small amount of mercury uptake from dental amalgam has been associated to increase the mercury concentration of urine.
