Galvanic shock
Oral galvanism | |
---|---|
dental electro-galvanism, amalgam disease | |
Pseudomedical diagnosis | |
Risks | Nocebo |
![]() | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Dental amalgam controversy. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2024. |
Oral galvanism, amalgam disease, or Galvanic shock was a term for the association of oral or systemic symptoms to either: electric currents between metal in dental restorations and electrolytes in saliva or dental pulp.[1][2][3] Any existence of galvanic pain or association of either currents or mercury to presence of symptoms has been disproven.[2][1] Beyond acute allergic reaction amalgam has not been found to be associated with any adverse effects.[4]
Very weak currents have been measured in the mouth of those with multiple dental fillings consisting of different alloys, but there was no association between presence of current and symptoms,[1] and any symptoms associated with currents between oral fillings are likely to be psychosomatic in nature.[2] No association between presence of mercury and symptoms have been found, with symptoms likely to be psychosomatic in nature and do not improve with chelation therapy.[1][3][5] Claims of causing a variety of symptoms such as oral discomfort, skin irritation, headaches and a metallic taste in the mouth have been discredited.[1]
The condition was originally proposed in 1878,[6] and became well known in Sweden during the 1970s and 80s, because of a campaign to educate about and replace oral amalgam fillings with mercury with other compounds such as ceramic or polymer restorations.[1]
See also
[edit]- Culture-bound syndrome
- Somatization disorder
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Galvanic corrosion
- Dental amalgam controversy
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Swedish Board of Health and Welfare for Statens offentliga utredningar (State Public Reports) (2003-05-01). "Dentala material och hälsa" [Dental materials and health]. Regeringskansliet (in Swedish). Government of Sweden. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
- ^ a b c "Amalgam Myths and Facts". www.dentalwatch.org. November 2002. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
- ^ a b Lundberg, Ante (1998). The Environment and Mental Health : a Guide for Clinicians. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p. 119. ISBN 0805829075. OCLC 37947667.
A recent review by the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare concluded that there was no scientific support for the belief that amalgam fillings caused systemic diseases.
- ^ "A National Clinical Guideline for the Use of Dental Filling Materials" (PDF). Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, Norway. December 2003. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ "Composite Resin versus Amalgam for Dental Restorations: A Health Technology Assessment — Project Protocol | CADTH.ca". www.cadth.ca. p. 24. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ Schriever W, Diamond LE (1952) “Electromotive forces and electric currents caused by metallic dental fillings” J Dent Res. 31(2): 205-229; PMID 14917837.