Effect of Replacing Amalgam Fillings on the Suspicion of Adverse Health Effects from Amalgam

The quality of the identified studies is low, regarding the effect on health problems believed to be relieved by amalgam removal. The main results of the synthesis of the study results are:

A great majority of oral lichenoid lesions in contact with amalgam fillings completely heal or improve after removal of amalgam fillings.

Lesions extending beyond the contact area, or not in contact with amalgam fillings, show little or no effect on healing after removal of the amalgam fillings.

The intensity of oral and general symptoms associated with amalgam fillings was reduced after removal of fillings but remained above the level observed in a representative control group. After removing the amalgam fillings the mercury level in urine and blood temporarily increase before being reduced to an acceptable level. Amalgam removal in healthy subjects was shown not to affect the kidneys as measured by the glomerular filtration rate.

Studies of sufficiently good scientific quality observing a reduction in signs and symptoms of general disorders after the removal of amalgam fillings, were not found.