Solving dental amalgam dilemma: An integrated toxicology and its management strategies – A systematic review

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) has been well known as one of the most toxic nonradioactive materials. Anthropogenic mercury is now a major worldwide concern and is an international priority toxic pollutant. Mercury vapour release from amalgam is the most important form of mercury that determines human exposure. Autopsy studies have shown higher levels of mercury in the tissues of human with amalgam fillings as opposed to those who were not similarly exposed. study objective is to sensitize the dentist and dental staff about mercury toxicity and strategies for proper handling of amalgam in order to reduce the health hazards caused by mercury for both dentist, patient and environment. Data search included PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane and Google Scholar until January 2019, out of 59 publications, 43 full text articles were deemed important were analysis. Discussion focus on an integrated toxicological based on release, uptake. toxicology and management protocol to understand interrelationship of these substantial contents. Added insight of Indian scenario in this review educate dental fraternity of correspondence between consumerism and bionomic loop, where safety consensuses are questionable. Growing advances in technology and raising aesthetic demands have led way aesthetic dentistry. Hence promoting the use of cost-effective and clinically effectual mercury free alternatives for dental restoration is inevitable in years to come.