Referencing a study that was published in the journal Radiology, the BBC warns how just 20 minutes in an ultra-high-strength MRI is enough to release mercury from teeth that have silver-colored amalgams. This new scanning technology is starting to become popular in the U.K., and the effects it could have on those with mercury fillings deserve serious attention.
The study was carried out by researchers from Akdeniz University in Turkey. After placing 60 extracted teeth that had been filled with mercury amalgams in 60 individual pots filled with artificial saliva, they scanned a third of them with a conventional MRI and another third using a higher-powered MRI. The remaining 20 teeth were used as a control and placed in artificial saliva without being scanned.
In the pots that had been scanned with the higher-powered MRI, the mercury content was four times that of the controls and those scanned using the conventional MRI. The level of released mercury measured 0.67 parts per million. The high-powered MRIs used produce a seven Tesla magnetic field, which is more than twice that of conventional MRIs, and they're starting to crop up in hospitals across England and Scotland.
In the U.K., mercury fillings are still the most common variety used by NHS dentists. Their hard-wearing nature makes them a popular choice for back teeth, although the more visible front teeth tend to get white fillings.
The British Dental Association was a bit defensive of mercury fillings, saying their durability and safety have been established, but they concede that more studies should be carried out to better determine the risks of these medical scans.
Mercury fillings have been linked to a long list of problems
Mercury accumulates in the body and causes a host of physical and mental problems. The average filling is estimated to release around 34 micrograms of mercury per day. Some of the problems they have been linked to include brain damage and neurological disorders.
A group of top mercury researchers have stated that the fillings can harm children's kidneys, brains, and immune systems. Moreover, studies have shown that they can lead to problems with sleep, concentration, and memory, along with gastrointestinal issues and chronic fatigue.
The BBC also admits that mercury fillings harm the environment. When dental amalgam gets out into the environment, the mercury is converted by aquatic microbes into methylmercury, which builds up in the food chain. Those who eat fish and seafood that has been contaminated with it will then ingest the mercury as well.
It's possible to have mercury fillings removed, but proper procedures must be followed
If you're concerned about your mercury fillings, you can have them removed by a biological dentist, but it's essential to find one who has been certified. That's because improper removal procedures can expose you to even more mercury as mercury vapor and particles are released. Experts should provide you with protection for your eyes, airway, and skin, along with a rubber dam to catch any particles before you can swallow them.
You might never end up needing a high-powered MRI, but if you have mercury fillings, you need to be aware of the dangers of simply having these toxic fillings in your mouth. Read Dentistry.news for more news coverage.
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