Amalgam components drift in teeth-toxicity risks: A preliminary approach

The use of ion beam techniques applied to teeth studies have been extensive in what concerns the major elements distribution. However, it is not clarified whether amalgam components are absorbed and drifted through teeth material, although the toxicity of the elements used in amalgams, such as Hg, are well known. This work is an attempt to assess a possible teeth contamination originated by the amalgams. Therefore, teeth with metallic amalgam, as well as healthy ones, were studied. The teeth were longitudinally cut and each slice was scanned from the inner region to the surface enamel for elemental profiles determination purposes using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (SRXRF) techniques. High levels of Zn, Ag, Sn, Hg and Pb were found along the scanned teeth restored with the metallic amalgam. The elemental distribution patterns suggest diffusion of these elements in the teeth material from amalgam constituents. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.