[Amalgam. XIX. Final: a reply to opponents and some guidelines].

Abstract

Opponents of the use of dental amalgam fillings often hold specific views on health and illness. Their doubts about the safety of amalgam are based upon unproven theories and results obtained with invalidated diagnostic methods and case-histories. It is contended here that case-histories cannot be accepted as scientific evidence and do not warrant over-simplified and idle, yet threatening statements. Almost superfluously, the improbability (not identical to impossibility!) of toxic symptoms and the rare manifestation of allergic reactions are summarized, prior to the description of some measures to diminish the release of mercury from amalgam restorations. Guidelines are presented how to deal with patients with health complaints attributed by them to amalgam.