Dear Lorin,
> HOW MUCH mercury is still being released after 25 years ??
>And beyond that ,
> how much is inhaled,
>ingested and
>absorbed into vital tissues??
These are very fundamental questions that were addressed 20+ years ago by numerous research papers. Some of the initial research funded by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology addressed these exact issues. In fact, it is our belief that if you cannot answer these issues first then you are not scientifically ready to address the next set of issues which are specifically injury to dentists and dental personnel and links to specific diseases.
HOW MUCH mercury is still being released after 25 years ??
Since it takes 25 years to set up such an experiment I cannot personally think of a good way but I do recall Stewart measured old amalgams of indeterminate age but all over 10 years and found that on average they had lost 25% of their estimated original mercury content. Again this experiment is very flawed for may reasons but mainly because no retrospective study knows for certain how the original filling was made and under what circumstance it was compacted.
To specifically answer your question I’ve attached a recent study where Boyd Haley, PhD measured 10 brands of amalgam made by 9 different dentists in standardized round blocks in vitro under extraordinarily mild conditions (room temperature, static conditions, water diluents and no stimulation). The specimens were first allowed to age so that any superficial excess was not part of the study. (PDF attached)
As you can read just one of the very best performing amalgam released considerably more mercury daily than is considered safe by any regulatory body. There was enormous variation between different manufacturers, different batches of the same manufacturer and between individual dentists. This fact alone makes it virtually impossible to guestimate your clients daily dose from old amalgams.
And beyond that , how much is inhaled,
This question was addressed in Vimy Lorscheider’s 1986 study using standard medical respiratory rates and mercury absorption rates, number of fillings and oral mercury vapor rates. (PDF attached)
ingested and absorbed into vital tissues??
1987 Eggleston did Neutron activation analysis of human brain and kidney to determine mercury content. The amount in brain and kidney the day you die is proportional to the number and size of mercury/silver fillings in your teeth. (PDF attached)
This simple experiment in my mind should have ended the endless arguments on whether or not amalgams pose a significant source of mercury considering the fact that there are other environmental, medical and nutritional sources as well. They were proven to be substantially less significant than implanted in situ in vivo amalgams.
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Now bear with me a second and address a significant point that I’d like to emphasize:
Had you attended one of the IAOMT fundamentals courses given over the last 25 years you could have answered these questions for yourself. Why couldn’t you? Not just because you didn’t take our course but because tragically the courses offered to dentists through their local dental society and various “educators” do not address even these fundamental issues.
You can answer all of these questions for yourself and many more simply by accessing the “Scientific case against amalgam” where these issue and many others is addressed on our web site open to the public at www.iaomt.org.
Even better you can read arguments both for and against the use of amalgam presented to the FDA expert panel form all over the world that address many more issues. I’ve not only filed several on behalf or the IAOMT but read those submitted by others. Did you? If not why not?
Why has this happened? Because as I said in my response to Tonganoxie our profession is very poorly educated in basic sciences and we are kept captive by our trade associations who make money from not only from our dues but also from product endorsement, trade shows and certificates of approval. This is a gross conflict of interest and does not serve us or the public well.
Again I am always ready and willing to help my fellow professionals locate research that addresses their particular issue but I won’t sit idly by while my personal integrity is impugned by someone who hasn’t bothered to even begin to look beyond the propaganda they were force fed in their so called “dental education”.
Sincerely,
David Kennedy, DDS
Past President
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
4380 Monaco Street
San Diego, CA 92107
Email: davidkennedy-dds@cox.net
Phone: (619) 222-8177
Cell: (619) 247-5738