Vol. 10, Issue 3, Part B (2024)

Toxic effects of mercury in dental amalgam

Author(s):

Adel Abdallah Naser, Hussein Muosa Ali and Alaa Abass Talib

Abstract:
Dental amalgam is a dental restorative material that has been used in dentistry for over 150 years. Dental amalgam consists of an alloy powder containing silver, copper, tin, and other trace metals, providing strength and durability to dental restorations. Furthermore, its liquid component, elemental mercury, ensures the proper handling and manipulation of the alloy during placement. Throughout its history, dental amalgam has undergone significant advancements in alloy composition. Today, the most widely used dental amalgam alloys are the high copper-tin alloys, which offer superior performance and longevity. These high copper-tin alloys have proven to be highly successful in dental restorations due to their enhanced physical properties, such as improved strength, resistance to corrosion, and reduced creep.
The specific composition of dental amalgam alloys determines their classification. Alloys containing greater than 12% tin are known as low-copper, while those containing less than 12% tin are recognized as high-copper alloys. This categorization plays a crucial role in determining the properties of the dental restorations created with these alloys. Although the high copper dental alloys were scientifically introduced in 1963, it took time before they gained widespread acceptance and became the standard alloy used in most countries. It wasn't until the late 1970s that these high-copper alloys became the norm in dental practice. Their popularity can be attributed to extensive research, clinical trials, and advancements in dental technology, which ultimately led to their recognition as the superior choice for dental restorations.

DOI: 10.22271/oral.2024.v10.i3b.1994

Pages: 119-129  |  1190 Views  867 Downloads

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How to cite this article:
Adel Abdallah Naser, Hussein Muosa Ali and Alaa Abass Talib. Toxic effects of mercury in dental amalgam. Int. J. Appl. Dent. Sci. 2024;10(3):119-129. DOI: 10.22271/oral.2024.v10.i3b.1994