The Battle of the Elements by Dr. R.E. Lister , BSc, PhD, CBiol, FIBiol. Dental students are taught that amalgams are composed of a mixture of metals with varying composition of mercury, silver, zinc, tin and copper. They are told that these individual metals are all toxic, but when amalgamated their toxic effects are eliminated. The facts, however, are at variance with these views. About the Author Dr Lister is a toxicologist and runs Phylax Ltd, Health Care Consultants.
Dental amalgam is still the most widely used restorative in dentistry.
Dental students are taught that amalgams are composed of a mixture of metals with varying composition of mercury, silver, zinc, tin and copper. They are told that these individual metals are all toxic, but when amalgamated their toxic effects are eliminated. They are reassured that the most widely used and toxic of the five metals mercury, is bound in such a way that it is not released from the restoration and presents no hazards to patients. There are still many dentists who believe that these teachings still hold true and that the use of mercury amalgam is safe. The facts, however, are at variance with these views.