Dental Amalgam and Oral Biological Responses: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence

TL;DR

This review examines how dental amalgam affects oral health, finding limited evidence of significant adverse effects in most people.

Contribution

The paper provides a critical synthesis of current evidence on biological responses to dental amalgam, highlighting the lack of consistent causal relationships.

Findings

Variations in salivary biomarkers like interleukin-8 and ceruloplasmin are modest and influenced by confounding factors.

Histopathological changes near amalgam restorations are nonspecific and similar to other chronic irritations.

Current data do not show uniform adverse effects from dental amalgam in the general population.

Abstract

Dental amalgam remains widely used in restorative dentistry due to its durability and cost-effectiveness, yet concerns persist regarding potential biological effects related to mercury release. This narrative review critically synthesizes current evidence on oral mucosal alterations and salivary biomarker changes reported in association with amalgam restorations. Experimental research supports biological plausibility for oxidative and inflammatory responses to mercury exposure; however, most human evidence derives from observational studies demonstrating heterogeneous associations rather than consistent causal relationships. Reported variations in salivary biomarkers, including interleukin-8 and ceruloplasmin, are generally modest and influenced by confounding factors such as periodontal status, smoking, and systemic inflammation. Histopathological findings adjacent to amalgam restorations include epithelial and inflammatory changes, though many are nonspecific and comparable to other chronic irritative conditions. Overall, current clinical and epidemiological data do not indicate uniform or clinically significant adverse effects in the general population attributable solely to dental amalgam. Regulatory phase-down initiatives primarily reflect environmental and precautionary policies. Available evidence supports a balanced and evidence-based interpretation of amalgam-related biological findings in contemporary dental practice.

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