In vivo galvanic currents of intermittently contacting dental amalgam and other metallic restorations

Direct current electrical fields induce apoptosis in oral mucosa cancer cells by NADPH oxidase‐derived reactive oxygen species

“…The electrical field of 4 V/m which was applied in most of our experiments resulted in a mean electrical current of approximately 5 mA. Peak galvanic currents measured in the oral cavity in vivo range between 2.5-103 mA for couples with fresh amalgams ( 6 months) and 0.24-13 mA for couples with a restoration 12 months old [Sutow et al, 2004]. The data of the present study evidence that electrical field treatment of oral mucosa cells results in the generation of ROS which in turn may induce the apoptotic signaling cascade.…”

“…Electrical fields and electrical currents arise in the oral cavity when different metals, for example, amalgam and gold are used as tooth inlays or crowns. These electrical galvanic currents for couples that are identified in the literature as amalgam-amalgam, amalgam-gold are generally below 15 mA [Sutow et al, 2004] but may exert significant biological effects on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity resulting in gingival swelling, and erythema, mucosal pain, and lichenoid reactions [Schmalz and Garhammer, 2002]. The biological interaction between these alloys has been classified as follows: (1) bacterial adhesion, (2) toxicity, (3) sub-toxic effects, and (4) allergies [Schmalz and Garhammer, 2002].…”

An unusual case of perioral dermatitis: possible pathogenic role of neurogenic inflammation

“…The dental filling appears to be a likely trigger of a neuroinflammation because of the anatomical distribution of the lesions, the temporal correlation between odontoiatric procedure and the onset of the lesions, and the quick, complete and spontaneous healing after its removal. Potential mechanisms are: direct effect of mercury on nerves (in light of its well‐known neurotropism), 7 generation of galvanic currents by different metals in the amalgam 8 (causing impairment of nerve functioning and neurotransmitter release), and/or local allergic reaction 4 (a contact allergy to thiomersal is due to ethylmercury, which is indistinguishable in its allergic action from methylmercury, 9 and mercury can be transformed by oral microbial flora in methylmercury) 10 . Nevertheless, this latter hypothesis is less convincing, because the direct involvement of oral mucosa would be expected.…”

Hypersensitivity to metal alloys used in prosthodontics – literature revie

“…Conversely, if the voltage measured for various alloys found in the oral cavity is lower than 80 mV, and the amperage below 5 mA, subjective or objective symptoms do not occur. 6 Sutow et al 10 studied 106 patients for electrogalvanic reactions between amalgams and other restorations, also made of noble metal alloys, contacting the occlusal surfaces. The authors revealed that the voltage of the current is the highest during occlusion, and that it dramatically decreases within 15 seconds following the occlusion.…”