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British Dental Journal May 2022Dental materials can cause reactions to the oral mucosa and present to the general dental practitioner. These are often referred to as 'allergies' but are frequently...
Dental materials can cause reactions to the oral mucosa and present to the general dental practitioner. These are often referred to as 'allergies' but are frequently lichenoid reactions. Most of these are related to dental amalgam restorations and can be remedied by replacing the restoration with another suitable material. Other metals, including gold, palladium, nickel and chrome, have also been reported to trigger mucosal changes. Less commonly, issues arise from other restorative materials, including denture acrylics, composites and glass polyalkenoates. Reactions are also reported due to endodontic and sealing materials. It is unclear what role skin 'patch' testing has in managing dental material allergies. This article aims to give the practitioner a clearer picture of dental material allergy issues and how they should be approached in primary dental practice.
Topics: Dental Amalgam; Dental Materials; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Dentists; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Patch Tests; Professional Role
PubMed: 35562454
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-022-4195-9 -
Journal of Public Health Dentistry Jun 2017In 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reached a binding agreement - a.k.a. the Minamata treaty - to decrease dental amalgam use. This study aims to...
OBJECTIVES
In 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reached a binding agreement - a.k.a. the Minamata treaty - to decrease dental amalgam use. This study aims to investigate US dentists' current practice and opinions about amalgam use, and to determine factors affecting their amalgam use and opinions.
METHODS
A total of 45,557 general dentists and 5,101 pediatric dentists were invited to participate in a pre-tested electronic survey. The survey consisted of 12 close-ended questions using a 5-point Likert Scale. The Qualtrics™ software was used to distribute the survey, followed by three reminders.
RESULTS
Response rate was 5.2 percent for general dentists, and 17.6 percent for pediatric dentists. Sixty-two percent of general dentists and 56 percent of pediatric dentists reported using amalgam. Most dentists disagreed with banning amalgam, while agreeing with installing amalgam separators. Environmentally conscious dentists were more likely to agree with banning amalgam and installing amalgam separators.
CONCLUSION
Responding dentists favor the continued use of dental amalgam. Their perspectives vary by several factors including dentists' environmental consciousness. Policies toward minimizing amalgam's environmental impact need to be implemented.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Amalgam; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Female; Humans; Male; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 28070905
DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12198 -
Safety and Health At Work Mar 2017Considerable effort has been made to address the issue of occupational health and environmental exposure to mercury. This review reports on the current literature of... (Review)
Review
Considerable effort has been made to address the issue of occupational health and environmental exposure to mercury. This review reports on the current literature of mercury exposure and health impacts on dental personnel. Citations were searched using four comprehensive electronic databases for articles published between 2002 and 2015. All original articles that evaluated an association between the use of dental amalgam and occupational mercury exposure in dental personnel were included. Fifteen publications from nine different countries met the selection criteria. The design and quality of the studies showed significant variation, particularly in the choice of biomarkers as an indicator of mercury exposure. In several countries, dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biological fluids and tissues than in control groups; some work practices increased mercury exposure but the exposure levels remained below recommended guidelines. Dental personnel reported more health conditions, often involving the central nervous system, than the control groups. Clinical symptoms reported by dental professionals may be associated with low-level, long-term exposure to occupational mercury, but may also be due to the effects of aging, occupational overuse, and stress. It is important that dental personnel, researchers, and educators continue to encourage and monitor good work practices by dental professionals.
PubMed: 28344835
DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.05.007 -
Journal of Molecular Modeling Oct 2019Effect of heat treatment on the structure and thermal properties of silver-copper dental amalgam (Ag-Cu/Hg) was investigated by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation....
Effect of heat treatment on the structure and thermal properties of silver-copper dental amalgam (Ag-Cu/Hg) was investigated by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Simulated pair correlation functions in the framework of MC algorithm form the basis for a diverse analysis of the amalgam annealed up to 2893 K. As heat treatment increases, structural properties remain essentially unchanged up to 1093 K, beyond which, the properties are deteriorated. Phase separation in the context of homo-coordination and segregation of Ag-Cu alloy is characterized as the annealing of amalgam alloy is proceeded. Thus, the amalgam alloy could also maintain a microstructural phase and a structural strength around this temperature, consistent with the annealing reported experimentally. These findings provide insights into amalgam industrial technology, setting amalgamation process, Hg release in dental clinics, and basic information appreciated in the dentistry industry and partnership in forensic science. Graphical abstract Thermal stability of the homogeneous amalgam (Ag-Cu/Hg) is studied up to 2893 K where a phase separation and structural alteration is noted above 1093 and Hg phase segregates into a domain different from Ag-Cu alloy domain.
Topics: Algorithms; Copper; Dental Amalgam; Mercury; Silver; Temperature
PubMed: 31620922
DOI: 10.1007/s00894-019-4193-2 -
British Dental Journal Jul 2020
Topics: Corrosion; Dental Amalgam; Dental Materials; Mercury
PubMed: 32710031
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-020-1943-6 -
British Dental Journal May 2019
Topics: Dental Amalgam; Dental Materials; Dental Restoration, Permanent
PubMed: 31076671
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-019-0324-5 -
Community Dentistry and Oral... Oct 2018ADHD is multifactorial, including both genetic and environmental factors. The safety of amalgam used in dental treatment has been discussed due to its content of mercury...
BACKGROUND
ADHD is multifactorial, including both genetic and environmental factors. The safety of amalgam used in dental treatment has been discussed due to its content of mercury and potential risks for negative neurodevelopmental consequences in the offspring. The aim of the study was to investigate possible associations between symptoms related to ADHD in children of three and five years of age and prenatal exposure to mercury from mothers' amalgam fillings.
METHODS
Data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were used. Data were collected by questionnaires sent to participating women in week 17 (Q1) and 30 (Q3) of pregnancy and when the child was three (Q6) and five years of age (Q7). Information about exposure to amalgam during pregnancy was obtained from Q3. Information about symptoms related to ADHD was obtained from Q6 and Q7. Valid data were obtained for 42 163 children at three years of age and 23 392 children at five years of age. Logistic regression models, including mothers' age, education, body mass index, parity, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, were used to estimate the association between ADHD symptoms and prenatal exposure to amalgam fillings.
RESULTS
No significant associations between number of teeth with amalgam filling, amalgam fillings placed or removed during pregnancy, and symptoms related to ADHD in children of three and five years of age were found.
CONCLUSIONS
In a large, prospective cohort study, we found no indication of increased risk of ADHD-related symptoms in children prenatally exposed to mother's amalgam fillings.
Topics: Adult; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child, Preschool; Dental Amalgam; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Maternal Age; Mercury Poisoning; Norway; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 30084494
DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12409 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences May 2019Dental offices are known to be one of the largest users of inorganic mercury in the preparation of amalgam-a restorative material which, if not handled and disposed...
CONTEXT
Dental offices are known to be one of the largest users of inorganic mercury in the preparation of amalgam-a restorative material which, if not handled and disposed through scientific methods, can pose grave threats to the biosphere.
AIMS
The objective of this study was to assess and record the mercury management and disposal strategies of dental practitioners belonging to the two South Indian states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A questionnaire regarding the usage and disposal of a filling material containing mercury (amalgam) was designed and distributed online. The 150 dental practitioners partaking in this study responded anonymously.
RESULTS
The results were statistically analyzed using chi-square test and the value was evaluated. The usage of amalgam was correlated with the age of the practitioner and the nature of practice and it was found to be statistically significant. The number of fillings was correlated with the years of practice and locality of the clinic, which were found to be statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that mercury was widely preferred and utilized even today as a restorative material by dentists and dental specialists, despite the availability of other alternative strategies. Only a minor section of practitioners were found to be aware of the global changes in the guidelines pertaining to the handling and disposal of amalgam. We feel that Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, amalgam safety rules, and amalgam-free practice should be a part of the academic curriculum and continuing dental education.
PubMed: 31198328
DOI: 10.4103/JPBS.JPBS_280_18 -
Medical Dosimetry : Official Journal of...Dental amalgam, causes perturbation in photon dose distribution of head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dental amalgam...
Dental amalgam, causes perturbation in photon dose distribution of head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dental amalgam on dose distribution of H&N radiotherapy and accuracy of dose calculations algorithm of commercial treatment planning system (TPS). In this study, the measurements were performed using a constructed H&N anthropomorphic. The sample of healthy teeth and teeth filled by amalgam inserted in the desired segment of the phantom in turn. After scanning and organs segmentation of phantom, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan including 7 fields in the absence (plan 1) and presence (plan 2) of dental amalgam were created separately. Phantom was irradiated using 6 MV linear accelerator (SIMENS-ARTISTE, 5918). Assessment of the effects of dental amalgam on dose distribution and the accuracy of dose calculation algorithm of TPS was done by measurement and comparing of organ's received dose using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLDs), placed on a phantom and TPS calculations. The scattering and attenuation due to the presence of dental amalgam led to an increase in parotid glands received dose (up to 24.38%) and a decrease in mean dose (up to -6.25%) PTV70. Results of this study revealed that discrepancies between the collapsed cone convolution (CCC) algorithm calculations Prowess Panther TPS and TLD measurements were -19.77% to 27.49% in presence of amalgam and -1.09% to 5.03% in presence of healthy teeth in phantoms. Attenuation and scattering due to amalgam in IMRT of H&N cancer may lead to a significant dose perturbation which is not predictable by dose calculation of TPS.
Topics: Dental Amalgam; Humans; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Phantoms, Imaging; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Thermoluminescent Dosimetry
PubMed: 31537421
DOI: 10.1016/j.meddos.2019.08.002 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurological disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system. Genetic and...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurological disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of MS. This has not been confirmed yet. Dental amalgam has long been controversial in MS due to its mercury content but the toxicological implications of mercury-containing amalgam fillings (AMF) for MS remain to be elucidated. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between AMF and the risk of MS from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Case ( = 612) and control ( = 612) groups were matched by sex, age, urbanization level, monthly income, and Charlson comorbidity index by propensity score matched with a 1:1 ratio from 2000 to 2013. Differences between cases and controls was not statistically significant (OR: 0.82, 95% CI = 0.65-1.05). In subjects stratified by gender, MS was also not associated with AMF for women (OR: 0.743, 95% CI = 0.552-1.000) and men (OR: 1.006, 95% CI = 0.670-1.509), respectively. In summary, this Taiwanese nationwide population-based case-control study did not find an association between MS and AMF.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Case-Control Studies; Dental Amalgam; Female; Humans; Male; Mercury; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Taiwan; Young Adult
PubMed: 32290568
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082637