Mercury release from dental amalgam
after treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide in vitro.

Rotstein I Dogan H Avron Y Shemesh H Steinberg D Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod (2000 Feb) 89(2): 216-9

OBJECTIVES: The effect of 10% carbamide peroxide on mercury release from dental amalgams was assessed in vitro by using a cold-vapor atomic absorption Mercury Analyzer System. RESULTS: Amalgam specimens exposed for 48 hours to 10% carbamide peroxide showed significantly higher concentrations of mercury in solution as compared with specimens treated with phosphate buffer (P <.001). Megaloy and Valiant Ph.D. yielded significantly higher mercury concentrations in solution than Mega+ and Nongama 2 (P <.001). Mega+ yielded significantly higher mercury concentrations in solution than Nongama 2 (P <.05). No significant differences were found in mercury concentrations in solution between Megaloy and Valiant Ph.D.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching agents caused an increase in mercury release from amalgam restorations, possibly increasing exposure of patients to its adverse effects. Amalgam brands differed in the amounts of mercury release after bleaching with carbamide peroxide.

Mercury Vapor Release From Dental Amalgam
After Laser Treatment.

Ploch, T; Mathias, J. Eur J Oral Science, 106(l):600?2, Feb 1998.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine whether the treatment of amalgam with different lasers leads to an increased release of mercury (Hg) vapor. In the case of C02?lasers in pulse and continuous?wave mode, there was no effect visible on the amalgam surface and no Hg vapor could be detected. Using an Nd:YAG, Er:YAG or Nd:YLF laser, crater formation could be observed on the amalgam surfaces. With the solid state lasers tested, however, the Hg vapor measurements taken indicated that pulses applied to amalgam cause a substantially increased release of Hg vapor. This vapor may contribute to the patient's total mercury exposure.

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