As of: February 13, 2024 12:29 p.m
Dental fillings made from amalgam are controversial because they contain toxic mercury. How dangerous are they for health? Should you have your amalgam seals removed?
Every third person in Germany has a tooth filling made of amalgam. The material is considered durable and inexpensive. For ecological, not health, reasons, amalgam seals containing mercury will be banned in the EU from 2025.
Do not remove amalgam fillings without cause
Dentists advise that anyone who has an amalgam filling should not have it removed without cause. Only when laying and removing small amounts of mercury are released. It is only recommended to remove them if the fillings become leaky or a gap forms between the teeth – as there is then a risk of tooth decay forming in this area.
Toxic mercury fumes from amalgam fillings
Amalgam consists of 50 percent mercury, bound in an alloy of silver, copper, zinc and tin – so there is no danger if an amalgam seal sits firmly in the tooth. The metal mixture is delivered to dental practices in ready-made dosages. However, amalgam is toxic if you inhale it in its gaseous state. Mercury vapors arise:
for an hour after laying the filling. This is how long the filling needs to harden. when removing the filling by the heat of the drill if it gets hotter than 50 degrees
According to experts, the exposure to mercury released when drilling out a filling is very low, so it is not clear whether this could cause damage. For mercury poisoning, however, enormous amounts must be consumed. Among other things, it leads to serious symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, headaches and tremors.
Protective measures when removing amalgam
Despite the small amount of mercury fumes, some precautions should be taken when removing amalgam fillings:
Line the affected person’s mouth with a silicone protector – a “rubber dam” – so that no amalgam is swallowed. Those affected should receive a special supply of air, otherwise the gaseous mercury will be absorbed through the lungs and nose.
Amalgam is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of in special containers (“separators”) so that it does not end up in the environment.
What happens if an amalgam filling is swallowed?
Since the mercury is bound in the amalgam alloy and can only escape when it is inserted or drilled out, there is no risk of swallowing. The filling will be excreted naturally after a few days.
Prohibited for use in children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women
EU law already limits the use of amalgam: no amalgam fillings should be placed or removed from young people under the age of 15, from pregnant women or from breastfeeding women.
Mercury pollution from amalgam
In Germany, every person has an average of 1.5 micrograms of mercury in a liter of blood due to environmental pollution. With five to six amalgam fillings, the load increases by two to three times. But even in this case it remains below the limit of 5 micrograms, which is considered harmless. The Robert Koch Institute sees no evidence that small amounts of mercury promote the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, autism, multiple sclerosis or hormonal disorders. However, there is a residual risk due to a lack of data.
Edible fish often contain more mercury than amalgam fillings
Incidentally, edible fish such as tuna and perch can contain 20 to 40 times as much mercury as an amalgam tooth filling. The mercury level is also significantly increased in salmon and sea bream.
Experts on the topic
Institute for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology
Institute Director Center for Experimental Medicine
MartinistraÃe 52
20246 Hamburg
Jungfernstieg 49
20354 Hamburg
Center for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine (ZMK) Polyclinic for periodontology, preventive dentistry and tooth preservation
Clinic Director
Specialist dentist for periodontology
MartinistraÃe 52
20246 Hamburg
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Visit | 02/13/2024 | 8:15 p.m