Mercury Burden Associated with Amalgam - an Independent Disease/Clinical Picture?

Author(s): Kristof, O.

Abstract: The discussion about amalgams being harmless materials or an health risk has now lasted for more than a hundred years. The potential clinical picture or mercury burden including supposed long-term impacts is controversially described and discussed. Diagnosis and interpretation rely essentially on approaches and methods of complementary medicine. So far, however, there is no conclusive assessment of propositions based on the various diagnostic approaches of dental medicine, clinical medicine and complementary medicine and of methods of detecting mercury in the human body. Nor is there any conclusive analysis of the meaningfulness of these propositions. The problem will persist for persons already concerned, even if the use of amalgam will be abandoned in future (e.g. for reasons of preventive health care). In selected cases it may be justified to replace amalgam fillings even only for psycho-social reasons, e.g. if a patient has symptoms and a high amount of Hg excretion in urine in a challenge test is found. There is still much need for clinical research in the field of mercury burden and chronic mercury intoxication related to dental amalgam.

Keyword(s): Quecksilberbelastung

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