Mercury Concentration in Saliva and the Impact of Chewing: An Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Study
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH, vol.202, no.5, pp.1965-1971, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 202 Issue: 5
- Publication Date: 2024
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s12011-023-03825-7
- Journal Name: BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
- Page Numbers: pp.1965-1971
- Keywords: Dental amalgam, Dental health, ICP-MS, Mercury exposure, Restorative dentistry, Saliva
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Mercury, which is found in dental amalgams, is considered to be the most toxic non-radioactive element. However, the health policies of different countries have not reached a consensus on the use and safety of amalgam. This study aims to investigate the effect of amalgam restorations on mercury concentration in saliva, as well as the effect of restoration number, surface number, and chewing on this concentration. A total of 86 participants were included in this study (an equal number for the study and control groups). The number of amalgam restorations and their surfaces were recorded. While both unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected from the study group, only unstimulated saliva was collected from the control group. The effect of chewing on mercury concentration was examined in the study group with unstimulated and stimulated saliva specimens using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry device. Mercury concentration in the unstimulated saliva was found to be higher in the study group compared to the control group (p= 0.000). As the number of amalgam restorations and the number of amalgam restoration surfaces increased, the mercury concentration in the saliva increased (p= 0.015 and p= 0.021, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between mercury levels in the unstimulated saliva and the stimulated saliva (p=0.316). Chewing presented an insignificant difference in mercury concentration. Given this surprising result, the effect of chewing on mercury concentrations should be explored more extensively in future research.