Mercury Exposure in Dentists: Three case reports

Meşide GÜNDÜZÖZ; Zehra Nur TÖREYİN; Vugar Ali TÜRKSOY; Lütfiye TUTKUN; Sinan KARACABEY; Hüseyin İLTER

Makale detayları

Mercury Exposure in Dentists: Three case reports

Yazarlar:

Meşide GÜNDÜZÖZ | Zehra Nur TÖREYİN | Vugar Ali TÜRKSOY | Lütfiye TUTKUN | Sinan KARACABEY | Hüseyin İLTER

Yayıncı:

Engin TUTKUN

Dergi:

The Turkish Journal Of Occupational / Environmental Medicine and Safety 2017 Vol.2 Issue 1(4), pp.58-58

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

10/2017

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2000835130

Sıklık:

Üç Aylık

eISSN:

2149-4711

pISSN:

2149-4711

Özet:

 


OBJECTİVE

Inorganic mercury is widely used in
amalgams. Thus, dentists are chronically exposed to inorganic mercury.Chronic
effects of mercury are mainly on central nervous system. Memory and
concentration deficits, sleep andmood disturbances are commonly notified
symptoms. We are reporting three dentists presenting with neurologicalfindings
of mercury intoxication.

CASE
1

A 42 years-old man has been admitted
to occupational health outpatient clinic with motor retardation and
mooddisturbances. He had been working as a dentist and handling with amalgams
for nineteen years. On neurologicalphysical examination intensional tremor was
detected. Mercury levels in 24-hour urine testing were 44,2 μg/L(normal values
<15 μg/L). Chelation therapy with DMPS was started, thereby declining
Mercury to normal values.Neurological symptoms recovered and he was discharged.

CASE
2

A 43 years-old woman has been
admitted with memory deficit and leg contractions. She had been working as
adentist for eighteen years and using amalgam alloys for filling. MRI scan of
brain revealed atrophic changes andpartially empty sella. Spot urine mercury
level was 10.2 μg/L (normal value <10 μg/L). Substutition withcomposite
fillings instead of amalgam fillings was recommended.

CASE
3

A 42 years-old woman has been
admitted to occupational health outpatient clinic with memory
deficit,distractibility, and extremity tremors. She had been handling with
amalgam alloys for eighteen years as a dentist.Neurological examination
revealed right-sided postural tremor. MRI scan of brain revealed mild atrophic
changes.Spot urine mercury level was 8.3 μg/L (normal value <10 μg/L). After
challenge test with DMPS, spot urinemercury raised to 15 μg/L. Chelation
therapy with DMPS was started. By the end of 6 months, spot urine mercurylevel
declined and neurological findings recovered.

RESULTS

Dentists are exposed to heavy metals
through handling orthodontic materials. Dentists referred with






















neuropsychiatric problems should be
evaluated for mercury intoxication and mercury levels should be examined
inbiological specimens. There is no known safe level and no limit to the effect
of the mercury occurrence asunderstood from this case. Use of materials
alternative to amalgam; proper ventilation in workplace; and use ofpersonal
protective equipments may mitigate hazardous effects of toxic materials.

.

Makale detayları

Mercury Exposure in Dentists: Three case reports

Yazarlar: Meşide GÜNDÜZÖZ | Zehra Nur TÖREYİN | Vugar Ali TÜRKSOY | Lütfiye TUTKUN | Sinan KARACABEY | Hüseyin İLTER

Yayıncı: Engin TUTKUN

Dergi: The Turkish Journal Of Occupational / Environmental Medicine and Safety 2017 Vol.2 Issue 1(4), pp.58-58

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 10/2017

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2000835130

Sıklık: Üç Aylık

eISSN: 2149-4711

pISSN: 2149-4711

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Meşide GÜNDÜZÖZ | Zehra Nur TÖREYİN | Vugar Ali TÜRKSOY | Lütfiye TUTKUN | Sinan KARACABEY | Hüseyin İLTER

Yayıncı:

Engin TUTKUN

Dergi:

The Turkish Journal Of Occupational / Environmental Medicine and Safety 2017 Vol.2 Issue 1(4), pp.58-58

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

10/2017

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2000835130

Sıklık:

Üç Aylık

eISSN:

2149-4711

pISSN:

2149-4711