Removal of amalgam fillings
results in a significant reduction in body burden
and body waste product load of mercury.

Total reduction in mercury levels in blood and urine
is often over 80% within a few months.

Recovery from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and from Allergy after Removal of Dental Amalgam Fillings.
Redhe, O; Pleva, J. Int. J. Risk Safety Medicine. (1994): 4, 229-236.

An evaluation of 100 cases of poisoning and immunological effects in dental amalgam patients, documented in clinical practice.

The patient had suffered for a long period from neurological problems. In 1984, following a complete neurologic evaluation, a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was made at the department of neurology of the University Hospital in Umea, Sweden. It is of unknown etiology and considered to be 100% fatal. No further visit to the clinic was proposed, as the disease is pernicious and there is no known therapy for ALS.

A dentist recognised the symptoms as those familiar in the patient group with health problems attributable to dental amalgam fillings. Patient history revealed the onset or exacerbation of neurologic symptoms following placement of amalgam dental fillings. The patient had 34 tooth surfaces filled with amalgam, most of which were shallow and of moderate extent.

With the consent of the patient, all amalgams were removed and replaced with alternative material. Treatment was completed in March 1984. Removal of the amalgam in the first tooth that had originally given post-operative problems resulted in an exacerbation of symptoms, with a continued recurrence of exacerbation following each subsequent replacement.

Following the replacement of the last DA, the patient's entire condition rapidly improved. Six weeks following the final replacement, the patient was able to go up stairs without experiencing back pain. Pains in the mouth also receded and the sore throat, present during the whole history of the disorder, recovered. Five months after completion of the DA removal, the patient returned to the same University Hospital at Umea for a week-long follow-up investigation, after which the following notation was placed in her record: "The neurologic status is completely without comment. Hence, the patient does not show any motor neuron disease of type ALS. She has been informed that she is in neurological respect fully healthy."

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The Australian and other dental associations in the world have consistently claimed that removing amalgam for the sake of health improvements is unethical as there is no relationship between mercury from dental amalgam and disease. They still hold this position. Much of their claims of late are based on a report called “Potential Biological Consequences of Mercury Released from Dental Amalgam. A State of the Art Document. [MFR-panel (Swedish Medical Research Council)]A State of the Art Conference in Stockholm 9-10 April 1992.

They make the following conclusions which are responded to by one of the leaders of the International Academy of Oral medicine and Toxicology. Note Prof Vimy’s credentials.

" Mercury released from dental amalgam does not, according to available data, contribute to systemic disease or systemic toxicological effects.

No significant effects on the immune system have been demonstrated with the amounts of mercury which may be released from dental amalgam fillings.

Allergic reactions to mercury from amalgam have been demonstrated, but are extremely rare.

In very few individuals local reactions such as lichenoid reactions of the mucosa, may occur adjacent to amalgam restorations as well as adjacent to dental restorations made of other materials.

There are no data supporting that mercury released from dental amalgam give rise to teratological effects.

The possible environmental consequences of mercury from handling dental amalgam can be controlled by proper waste management, including the installation of efficient amalagam separators in dental offices.

Available data do not justify discontinuing the use of silver-containing dental amalgam fillings or recommending their replacement."

In the panel: Bergman B (chairman), Boström H, Larsson K S, Löe H

Response to the above
December 15, 1992
An open letter to Sekreterare Tore Scherstén Medicinska Forskningsrådet Swedish Medical Research Council Box 6713 S-113 85 Stockholm, Sweden
Re: Potential Biological Consequences of Mercury Released from Dental Amalgam. A Swedish state of the Art Conference, April 9, 1992.

Dear Secretary Scherstén:
By now you must have felt the pressure of a number of groups who have criticized your "conference". In fairness to you, it is apparent that trust was misplaced in an organizing committee, which had no intention of convening an objective academic scientific forum. Rather, these individuals had a predetermined agenda, as demonstrated by their public positions on the issue of amalgam safety taken on many occasions prior to this meeting.
Drs. Larsson, Löe and Bergman are all on the record as defenders of the status quo. Dr. Bergman's objectivity is tainted by his wife's involvement in the issue; while Dr. Larsson is on the record as a strong supporter of amalgam. Indeed it was incredible to see this person act as both presenter and "judge", especially since he has no scientific experimental track record of his own to demonstrate his expertise in this area. Finally, Dr. Löe, politically, administratively and economically affiliated with the American dental establishment, is apparently more concerned with preventing litigation in the U.S.A. than he is with determining scientific truth. His opening biased remarks made it obvious why he was chosen as moderator. Dr. Boström was red herring - a physician "yes"-man with absolutely no research expertise in this area.
The conference presenters showed a general lack of expertise. Most have poor research records and many had not published research papers on either mercury or dental amalgam. This is easily determined by reviewing the bibliographies to their written presentations. They have few if any research papers of their own to cite! The penultimate example was Dr. Petr Skrabanek, a self anointed "quack catcher". This individual, who has no scientific expertise of amalgam, is one of a growing group of self appointed watch-dog "experts". In North America, we have an organization called the National Council Against Health Fraud which purports to be expert in everything. Dr. Skrabanek's mere presence at the meeting totally discredited the scientific purpose of the conference. Sweden, a country of many noted scientists, was better represented by the quality of the expertise in the audience than by the quality of many conference speakers.
Finally, I understand that my invitation to present a paper at this conference was extended reluctantly by the organizing committee, and only after political pressure for a more balanced meeting. If you review the list of speakers chosen it will be obvious that the intention of the organizers was to "white wash" the conclusions. The conclusions of the conference were drawn by the organizing committee and do not represent a consensus view of all the participants or the audience. Since the results were apparently prordained, as I have just described, they are not credible.
I have enclosed for your information a reprint of a recent medical scientific forum on the same issue (Goering et. al., 1992). As you can see, there is now international scientific concurrence on a number of points related to the amalgam mercury issue and its potential effects on human health; a concurrence which is in marked contrast to the "massaged" conclusions of the Swedish Medical Research Council's biased organizing comnmittee.

Respectfully yours,
signed
Murray J. Vimy BA, DMD, FAGD, FIAOMT Clinical Associate Professor Department of Medicine (also Private Practice of Dental Medicine) The University of Calgary Health Sciences Centre 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1 Faculty of Medicine Department of Medical Physiology Fax (403) 283-4740

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Australian Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Dental Amalgam

Published August 2000
Prepared by Chem Affairs Pty Ltd
PO Box 890
Lane Cove NSW 1595
Published August 2000

This risk assessment was commissioned by the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia, as part of a series of recommendations put forward by a working party which was set up in 1998 to assess the literature about the dangers of mercury from dental amalgam. NH&MRC have not yet endorsed this document. Although most of the report claims safety for amalgam on the bases of a supposed “Normal Mercury Level” in the body it is important to know that there has never been a level of mercury exposure which is considered safe. The Normal levels suggested in this report are far above the levels set by both the USEPA and the ATSDR.

In point 8 of the Executive Summary the following is stated:

“Amalgam removal has been shown to be effective in reducing mercury levels to the levels of those in people without amalgam fillings. Chelation treatment has also reduced levels in the short-term ………. In one case report, amalgam removal has reduced a very high urine mercury level to a normal level. This change was accompanied by a decline in symptoms……………”
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A case of high mercury exposure from dental amalgam.
Langworth S & Stromberg R.Eur J Oral Sci 104:320-321 (1996)
ABSTRACT: "This report describes a patient who suffered from several complaints, which by herself were attributed to her amalgam fillings. Analysis of mercury in plasma and urine showed unexpectedly high concentrations, 63 and 223nmol/l, respectively. Following removal of the amalgam fillings, the urinary excretion of mercury became gradually normalized and her symptoms declined."

Mercury in saliva and feces after removal of amalgam fillings.
Bjorkman L, Sandborgh-Englund G, Ekstrand J.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 144(1):156-162 (1997)
ABSTRACT: "The toxicological consequence of exposure to mercury (Hg) from dental amalgam fillings is a matter of debate in several countries. The purpose of this study was to obtain data on Hg concentrations in saliva and feces before and after removal of dental amalgam fillings. In addition Hg concentrations in urine, blood, and plasma were determined. Ten subjects had all amalgam fillings removed at one dental session. Before removal, the median Hg concentration in feces was more than 10 times higher than in samples from an amalgam free reference group consisting of 10 individuals (2.7 vs 0.23 mumol Hg/kg dry weight, p < 0.001). A considerable increase of the Hg concentration in feces 2 days after amalgam removal (median 280 mumol Hg/kg dry weight) was followed by a significant decrease. Sixty days after removal the median Hg concentration was still slightly higher than in samples from the reference group. In plasma, the median Hg concentration was 4 nmol/liter at baseline. Two days after removal the median Hg concentration in plasma was increased to 5 nmol/liter and declined subsequently to 1.3 nmol/liter by Day 60. In saliva, there was an exponential decline in the Hg concentration during the first 2 weeks after amalgam removal (t 1/2 = 1.8 days). It was concluded that amalgam fillings are a significant source of Hg in saliva and feces. Hg levels in all media decrease considerably after amalgam removal. The uptake of amalgam mercury in the GI tract in conjunction with removal of amalgam fillings seems to be low." http://www.algonet.se/~leif/yfbjo97a.html

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There are many more studies which demonstrate that mercury from amalgam is stored in the tissues of the body and that removing the amalgam will allow a dramatic reduction in the body burden of mercury. A small selection of the references follow and you will note that some of these papers are actually published in the journals of the organisations which deny them.

1. Idiosyncrasy to metallic mercury, with special reference to amalgam fillings in the Teeth. Bass M HJ Pediat 23:215-218 (1943)
2. Thrombocytopenia in two children after placement of amalgam fillings in primary teeth).Berglund F, Elinder G Program, Sammanfattningar, Svenska Läkarsällskapets Riksstämma 27-29 nov 1991
3. Mercury allergy resulting from amalgam restorations. Engelman M A J Amer Dent Assoc 66:122-123 (1963)
4. Chronic illness in association with dental amalgam: Report of two cases. Godfrey M E J Adv Med 3:247-255 (1990)
5. Amalgam-related chronic ulceration of oral mucosa. Jolly M, Moule A J, Freeman S Br Dent J 160:434-437 (1986)
6. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis: improvement after removal of amalgam in dental caries. Katsununa T, Iikura Y, Nagakura T, Saitoh H, Akimoto K, Akasawa A, Kindaichi S Ann Allergy 64:472-475 (1990)
7. A Case of High Mercury exposure from Dental Amalgam. Langworth S, Strömberg R European Journal of Oral Sciences. Jun 1996; 104(3):320-321. ISSN: 0909-8836
8. Urticaria following a dental silver filling - case report. Markow H New York State J Med 43:1648-1652 (1943)
9. Three cases of linear lichen planus cused by dental metal compounds. : Sasaki G, Yokozeki H, Katayama I, Nishioka K: J Dermatol 1996 Dec 23:12 890-2
10. Generalized allergic reaction from silver amalgam fillings Strassburg M, Schubel R : Dtsche Zahnarztliche Zeit 22:3-9 (1967)
11. A case of hypersensitivity to mercury released from amalgam fillings. Witek E Source: Czas Stomat 22:311-315, (?)
12. Allergic reaction to mercury after dental treatment. Wright F A C New Zealand Dent J 67:25l-252 (1971)
13. Description of persons with symptoms presumed to be caused by electricity or visual display units--oral aspects. Bergdahl J, Anneroth G, Stenman E Scand J Dent Res. 1994 Feb; 102(1): 41-5
14. Long-term mercury excretion in urine after removal of amalgam fillings Begerow J, Zander D, Freier I, Dunemann L Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1994 66:3 209-12
15. Effect of Replacement of Dental Amalgam on Oral Lichenoid Reactions. Bratel J, Hakeberg M, Jontell M: Journal of Dentistry. Jan-Mar 1996; 24(1-2):41-45
16. Mercury sensitization in amalgam fillings. Assessment from a dermatologic viewpoint Brehler R, Panzer B, Forck G, Bertram H P Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1993 Apr 2 118:13 451-6
17. Healing of Lichenoid Reactions Following Removal of Amalgam - a Clinical Follow-up Henriksson E, Mattsson U, Håkansson J:. J Clin Periodont 22(4):287-294 (1995)
18. The Relevance and Effect of Amalgam Replacement in Subjects with Oral Lichenoid Reactions Ibbotson S H, Speight E L, Macleod R I, Smart E R, Lawrence C M British Journal of Dermatology. Mar 1996; 134 (3):420-423. ISSN: 0007-0963
19. Resolution of oral lichenoid lesions after replacement of amalgam restorations in patients allergic to mercury compounds.: Laine J, Kalimo K, Forssell H, Happonen R P Br J Dermatol 126(1):10-15
20. Symptoms before and after proper amalgam removal in relation to serum-globulin reaction to metals. Lichtenberg H Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol 11 No.4. pp 195-203 1996.
21. Effects of Removing Amalgam Fillings from Patients with Diseases Affecting the Immune SystemLindqvist B, Mörnstad H Medical Science Research. May 1996; 24(5):355-356
22. Allergy and corrosion of dental materials in patients with oral lichen planus. Lundström I M C Int J Oral Surg 13:16-24 (1984)
23. Amalgam Associated Oral Lichenoid Reactions: Clinical and Histologic Changes After Removal of Amalgam Fillings. Östman P O, Anneroth G, Skoglund A Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Oral Radiology and Endodontics. Apr 1996; 81 (4):459-465.
24. Resolution of lichen planus following removal of amalgam restorations in patients with proven allergy to mercury salts: a pilot study. Smart E R, Macleod R I, Lawrence C M Br Dent J 178(3):108-112 (1995)
25. The contribution of dental amalgam to mercury in blood. Snapp K R, Boyer D B, Peterson L C, Svare C W J Dent Res. 1989 May; 68(5):780-5
26. Removal of Dental Mercury: Often an Effective Treatment for the Very Sensitive Patient Zamm A F J Orthomolecular Med 5(53):138-142 (1990
27. Elimination of symptoms by removal of dental amalgam from mercury poisoned patients, as compared with a control group of average patients. Lichtenberg H J J Orthomol Med 8:145-148 (1993)
28. Mercury, selenium, and glutathione peroxidase before and after amalgam removal in man. Molin M, Bergman B, Marklund S L, Schütz A, Skerfving Acta Odontol Scand. 1990 Jun; 48(3): 189-202
29. The relationship between mercury from dental amalgam and oral cavity health. Siblerud R LAnn Dent 49(2):6-10 (1990)
30. A comparison of mental health of multiple sclerosis patients with silver/mercury dental fillings and those with fillings removed. Siblerud R L Psychol Rep. 1992 Jun; 70(3 Pt 2): 1139-51
31. Evidence that mercury from silver dental fillings may be an etiological factor in multiple sclerosis. Siblerud R L, Kienholz E Sci Total Environ. 1994 Mar 15; 142(3):191-205
32. Mercury-Specific Lymphocytes: An Indication of Mercury Allergy in Man. Stejskal V, Forsbeck M, Cederbrant K E, Asteman O J of Clin Immun, Vol. 16, No.1, 1996, pp. 31-40.

Other references

Katsunuma et al, Anaphylaxis improvement after removal of amalgam fillingsÓ, Annals of Allergy, 1990, 64(5):472-75; & Yoshida S, Mikami H, Nakagawa H, Amayasu H. Amalagam allergy associatiated with exacerbation of aspirin-intolerant asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 1999; 29(10): 1412-4; & M.Drouet et al, Is mercury a respiratory tract allergen?, Allerg Immunol(Paris),1990; 22(3):81.

J.Begerow et al,"Long-term mercury excretion in urine after removal of amalgam fillings", Int Arch Occup Health 66:209-212, 1994.

M.Molin et al, "Kinetics of mercury in blood and urine after amalgam removal", J Dent Res 74:420, IADR Abstract 159, 1995; & (b) M.Molin et al, Mercury, selenium, And GPX before & after amalgam removal, Acta Odontol Scand, 1990,48:189-202.

M.E.Godfrey, chronic ailments related to amalgam, J. Adv. Med., 1990, 3:247

L.Barregard et al, "People with high mercury uptake from their own dental amalgam fillings", Occup Envir Med 52: 124-128, 1995; & S.Langworth et al, A case of high mercury exposure from dental amalgam European J Oral Sci 1996, 104:320-321; & R. Stromberg et al, "A case of unusually high mercury exposure from amalgam fillings", Tandlakartidningen 88(10): 570-572, 1996; & McCann et al, Intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) treatment of autoimmune kidney disease associated with mercury ( Hg++) toxicity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 95(1)(Pt 2):145

H.J.Lichtenberg, "Elimination of symptoms by removal of dental amalgam from mercury poisoned patients", J Orthomol Med 8:145-148, 1993; & Symptoms before and after removal of amalgam,J of Orth Med,1996,11(4):195- (119 cases)

G.Hall, V-TOX, Mercury levels excreted after Vit C IV as chelator- by number of fillings Int Symposium "Status Quo and Perspectives of Amalgam and Other Dental Materials" European Academy, Ostzenhausen/Germany. April 29 - May 1, 1994; & Heavy Metal Bulletin, Apr 1996,Vol.3,Issue 1, p6-8 (200 cured or significantly improved)

L.Bjorkman et al, "Mercury in Saliva and Feces after Removal of Amalgam Fillings", Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 1997, 144(1), p156-62; & (b) J Dent Res 75: 38-, IADR Abstract 165, 1996.

N.Campbell & M.Godfrey,Confirmation of Mercury Retention and Toxicity using DMPS provocationÓ ,J of Advancement in Medicine, 7(1) 1994;(80 cases); & (b)D.Zander et al, Mercury mobilization by DMPS in subjects with and without amalgamsÓ, Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1992, 192(5): 447-54(12 cases);

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