Mercury Amalgam Dental Fillings
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[edit] Definition
An amalgam is an alloy of mercury. Since the early 19th century, dentists have filled tooth cavities with an amalgam, due to its cheapness, durability, and ease with which the dentist could manipulate it. The typical dental amalgam is a mixture of about-equal volumes of mercury and an alloy of silver, copper, tin and other metals.
[edit] Origins
Auguste Taveau developed the first dental amalgam from silver and mercury in 1819.
However, in 1840, the American Society of Dental Surgeons took a stand against the use of amalgam fillings, out of a fear of mercury poisoning in both patients and dentists. This was largely due to the fact that, at the time, dental amalgams were mixed right in the dentist's office, which was presumed to release toxic levels of mercury vapor because the mercury had not yet been dissolved with the alloy powder.
