Correlation between dental amalgam fillings and urinary mercury levels in the Jordanian population: A comparative population-based study

Abstract

Background/purpose: The health risks of mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings remain controversial. Urinary mercury levels are used as a tool to assess mercury exposure toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of dental amalgam fillings on urinary mercury levels in the Jordanian population. Materials and methods: This study recruited an experimental group of 108 participants with dental amalgam fillings and control group of 109 participants without dental amalgam fillings. Urinary mercury levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: The results showed a statistically significant increase in urinary mercury concentration in participants with dental amalgam fillings compared to participants with no dental amalgam fillings (6.42 ± 0.37 μg/L vs 1.55 ± 0.05 μg/L, P < 0.05). It also showed that this increase in urinary mercury levels among Jordanians with dental amalgam fillings was statistically significant when individuals had more than 6 dental amalgam fillings (9.36 ± 1.68 μg/L) compared to those with fewer than 6 (4.73 ± 0.34 μg/L, P < 0.05). Increased urinary mercury levels among Jordanians were also correlated with having dental amalgam fillings for more than 10 years. Conclusion: Increased urinary mercury levels in the Jordanian population are correlated with both the number of amalgam fillings and the duration of having these fillings. However, this increase in urinary mercury levels observed in this study is below the threshold that would pose significant health risks.