Blood mercury levels with amalgam retroseals: a longitudinal study

J Endod. 1996 Mar;22(3):140-1. doi: 10.1016/s0099-2399(96)80291-3.

Abstract

A clinical study was performed to determine if placement of an amalgam retroseal resulted in elevated blood mercury levels. Ten subjects had blood drawn 7 days before and immediately before placement of an amalgam retroseal. Postoperative blood draws occurred at 7 and 30 days. Blood samples were analyzed for mercury content by Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. No statistically significant increase in blood mercury levels was detected at 7 and 30 days after placement of an amalgam retroseal as compared with preoperative levels (p = 0.97). Findings support the hypothesis that placement of an amalgam retroseal does not result in significant elevations of blood mercury levels.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Dental Amalgam*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mercury / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrograde Obturation*
  • Root Canal Filling Materials*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Root Canal Filling Materials
  • Dental Amalgam
  • Mercury