Mercury vapour from amalgams from dentist

Patients are also exposed to mercury from their dental restorations, particularly through the release of mercury vapour from amalgams, which can be breathed in directly. The level of exposure is highest during placement and removal. Exposure to mercury from fillings that are in place depends on the number of fillings, the filling size, composition, surface, age and placement, the chewing habits, food texture, grinding and brushing teeth and many other physiological factors.

 In general, once they are in place, exposure to mercury from amalgam fillings is well below recognised tolerable limits, even for individuals with a large number of restorations. Since the main exposure happens when placing or removing amalgam fillings, it is better to leave them in place unless there is a medical reason to remove them during this process dentist will hold the tool polissage de dents. Although dental workers do not touch amalgam and usually wear gloves and face masks, they breathe in mercury vapours, particularly during placement and removal of fillings. As a result, and despite improvements in technique and in mercury hygiene measures, exposure to mercury is normally higher for dental workers than for the general population.

Zeta-dental.fr reminds: During pregnancy and early life, children can be exposed from a variety of sources to organic and inorganic mercury– through their mothers in the womb and during breast-feeding. However, exposure levels are extremely low and no adverse effects have been reported during pregnancy and early life. The concentration of total mercury in human breast milk is considered to be too low to pose any risk to infants.