The effect of magnetic resonance imaging on mercury release from dental amalgam at 3T and 7T

Allison, James R.; Chary, Karthik; Ottley, Chris J.; Vuong, Quoc C.; German, Matthew J.; Durham, Justin; Thelwall, Peter E.

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104322

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In searching the literature, it became apparent that research on this issue was limited not only at 7T but also at lower field strengths, particularly 3T. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The only studies investigating the effects of 3T MRI on dental amalgam evaluated microleakage rather than mercury excretion based on dye visualization under light microscopy 8,12,13 or evaluated isolated amalgam or amalgam within hydroxyapatite disks instead of human dental restorations. 10,11 The correlation between these findings and mercury release from dental restorations is unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The only studies investigating the effects of 3T MRI on dental amalgam evaluated microleakage rather than mercury excretion based on dye visualization under light microscopy 8,12,13 or evaluated isolated amalgam or amalgam within hydroxyapatite disks instead of human dental restorations. 10,11 The correlation between these findings and mercury release from dental restorations is unknown. Considering possible elevated mercury excretion at 7T, more information about the behavior of dental amalgam at 3T is also needed, as elevated mercury levels at 3T would significantly increase the scope of the safety concern.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was of particular interest to us, as our institution had recently installed a 7T unit for clinical use. In searching the literature, it became apparent that research on this issue was limited not only at 7T but also at lower field strengths, particularly 3T 5–13 . The only studies investigating the effects of 3T MRI on dental amalgam evaluated microleakage rather than mercury excretion based on dye visualization under light microscopy 8,12,13 or evaluated isolated amalgam or amalgam within hydroxyapatite disks instead of human dental restorations 10,11 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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No Increased Mercury Release from Dental Restorations at 1.5T, 3T, or 7T MRI

Burkett,

Rasmussen,

Fillmore

et al. 2023

Magnetic Resonance in Med

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PurposeDental amalgam contains mercury and is commonly used in dental restorations. The impact of MRI on mercury excretion from dental amalgam is not well understood across clinical field strengths, especially 7T. We investigated the effects of MRI exposure on mercury excretion using fresh, lab‐created dental amalgam restorations and in extracted teeth with old, pre‐existing restorations.MethodsDonated, unfilled human teeth (n = 120) were restored with amalgam before being stored in saline, artificial saliva, or a dry box prior to MRI scanning. The teeth were placed in individual tubes of fresh artificial saliva and scanned at 1.5T, 3T, or 7T or left unscanned as controls. Mercury concentrations were measured 24–30 h later. Donated teeth with pre‐existing restorations (n = 40) were stored in artificial saliva, scanned at 7T or left unscanned as controls, and mercury concentration tested.ResultsFor teeth extracted and restored in a laboratory, no significant difference was found (F = 2.42, P = 0.072) between mean mercury concentrations of unscanned teeth (13.72 μg/L) and teeth scanned at 1.5T (10.88 μg/L), 3T (12.65 μg/L), or 7T (8.88 μg/L). For teeth extracted with previously placed restorations, no significant difference (P = 0.288) was found between unscanned controls (4.28 μg/L) and teeth scanned at 7T (6.63 μg/L).ConclusionMRI of dental amalgam does not significantly increase mercury excretion at 1.5T, 3T, or 7T compared to unscanned teeth. This holds true for controlled laboratory restorations as well as for those placed and lived with prior to extraction and scanning, demonstrating no added risk to the clinical patient or research subject.

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