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: toxic effects of amalgam fillings; or 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]
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.
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: toxic effects of amalgam fillings; or 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]
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.