Dental amalgam risks in dental staff: systematic review

Abdelkarim Manyani,Hanane Chaou,Rachida Soulaymani Bencheikh,Naima Rhalem,Abdelmajid Soulaymani,S Bourekkadi,K Slimani,H Hami,A Mokhtari,A Soulaymani

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202131901001

Abstract

Mercury is an essential constituent of dental amalgams, several studies have shown that dental personnel who work with dental amalgams are chronically exposed to mercury vapors. The World Health Organization considers that inhaling mercury vapors can have harmful effects on the nervous, immune, pulmonary and renal systems. The objective of this review was to collect and analyze data relating to the exposure of dental personnel to mercury and the possible harmful effects on human health. All biomonitoring studies published between 2002 and 2019 measuring mercury in hair, blood, urine and nails were included. Dentists reported higher levels of mercury in their biomarkers compared to control groups. These levels reflected occupational exposures to chronic low levels of elemental mercury in dental amalgam fillings. Some studies have shown a high prevalence of neurological symptoms and memory deficit in dental staff compared to controls. Studies based on genes involved in mercury metabolism have shown associations between sources of mercury exposure and single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes. It is important that preventive measures are strengthened to reduce exposure to mercury and that a biomonitoring program for dental professionals exposed to mercury vapors is implemented.

Highlights

Dental amalgam is used in dentistry as a restorative material [1]
Consideration of such gene–environment factors may improve the ability to assess the health risks of Hg more precisely [29]. This Review reveals that dental practitioners have higher levels of mercury in their biomarkers compared to control groups
These levels reflected occupational exposures to chronic low levels of elemental Hg contained in dental amalgams and to methylmercury through the consumption of fish

Summary

Introduction

Dental amalgam is used in dentistry as a restorative material [1]. It is a mixture of metallic mercury (about 50% of the weight of the powder / liquid mixture) and a set of powdered metals (silver 35%, tin 9%, copper 6% and traces of zinc) [2].The problem is that when handling these dental amalgams, they release mercury vapour. Dental amalgam is used in dentistry as a restorative material [1]. It is a mixture of metallic mercury (about 50% of the weight of the powder / liquid mixture) and a set of powdered metals (silver 35%, tin 9%, copper 6% and traces of zinc) [2]. The problem is that when handling these dental amalgams, they release mercury vapour. Dental professionals, handling these amalgams, are exposed daily to this vapour. Elemental mercury (Hg0) is distributed throughout the body and it will penetrate all tissues and organs. Long-term exposure to Hg0 has been associated with similar effects on the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in memory loss, depression and anxiety [12]

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