Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between mercury (Hg) levels and Total Antioksidant Activity (TAA) in saliva of subjects having amalgam restorations and having not such fillings. A total of 48 subjects participated in this study , 35 whom hadamalgam restorations and the 13 had no dental amalgams. In the amalgam group silicon impressions were taken and the total surface and occlusal surface areas of filings were calculated. Unsitimulated saliva samples of all subjects were collected and the levels of Hg and TAA were determined. The mean Hg concentrations of saliva determined as 21.41±26.07µg/l in subjects with amalgam restorations, and were 5.88±2.57µg /l in subjects without amalgams. Saliva Hg concentrations were found to be positively correlated with the number of amalgam fillings and were statistically lower in the group without dental amalgams . (p<0.001). the mean total and occlusal surface areas of the amalgam fillings were determined as 193.83±85.74 mm2 and 153.90±64.87 mm2 , respectively. Statically although there were no correlation between the total surface area of the restorations and salivary Hg levels ( p>0.05),   a positive relationship were found between the occlusal surface area of the amalgam fillings and Hg levels of saliva (p<0.05). The mean TAA levels were 0.61±0.39 mmol/l for amalgam group and 0,49±0.13 mmol/l for the non amalgam group . It was found that neither the number of amalgam fillings nor the total surface and occlusal surface area of the restorations did not correlated with the salivary TAA concentrations ( p>0.05). The results of the study showed that although amalgam fillings were one the sources of Hg in saliva and the occlusal surface area of these restorations were an effective factor on the salivary Hg levels, These influences were not important on the TAA statusof the saliva.

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