USES AND EFFECTS OF MERCURY IN MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY
Abstract
Mercury is known to be a toxic material with adverse effects on the body as claimed by so manyresearchers and always projected a negative aspect of this element. It is true that it may cause a severalproblems when it exceeds the safe limit but along with its negative image, mercury has been playing apositive role in the field of medicine and dentistry. It has many therapeutic uses including variousmedications, ointments, dental fillings, contact lens, cosmetics, paints as well as in different instrumentslike thermometer and sphygmomanometers. Mercury and its compounds used in dental practice may beresponsible for release of mercury into the oral cavity. Compounds of mercury tend to be much moretoxic than the element itself, and organic compounds of mercury (e.g., dimethyl-mercury) are oftenextremely toxic and may be responsible in causing brain and liver damage.Keywords: Mercury uses, Mercury toxicity, Dental amalgam, Elemental mercury, Dimethyl mercuryReferences
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