• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of urinary mercury and analyze which factors would affect urinary mercury concentration among dental hygienists in dental clinics. Methods: This study conducted by questionnaire and detection of urinary mercury concentration of 268 dental hygienists working in dental clinics from July to August of 2009. Data collected from two hundred and thirty-five dental hygienists were analyzed by the geometric mean (GM). Analytical results of urine samples with less than 0.3 g creatinine/L and greater than 3g creatinine/L were excluded from statistical analysis. Results: Urinary mercury concentration of 235 dental hygienists showed the geometric distribution. The arithmetic and geometric means of urinary mercury concentration were $0.996{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $0.755{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Conclusions: The level of urinary mercury in dental hygienists was higher than in general Korean population. The number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Therefore using resin materials instead of amalgam in dental clinics is highly desirable.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2000

Amalgam, though a widely used dental material, does not bond to the tooth substrate Therefore, retentive preparation of the cavity is necessary. Such amalgam restorations, until corrosion products form and plug the margin, will show significant marginal leakage. Unless this is prevented early on, saliva and bacteria may enter the cavity causing postoperative hypersensitivity, dissolution and collapse of the restoration, discoloration of the margin and secondary caries, leading to shortened life-span of the restoration and pulpal pathosis. Recently, a method of restoration has been introduced whereby tooth material can be preserved, cavity margin can be sealed and preventive treatment of pit and fissure can be administered while retaining all the advantages of conventional amalgam restorations. Such sealed amalgams involve removing the carious lesion without extending the cavity for prevention and using pit and fissure sealants to seal cavity margins and pit and fissures to reduce microleakage. In this study, finishing of the amalgam and sealant application were performed after different intervals following of amalgam restoration to compare the microleakage of sealed and conventional amalgam restorations. Thirty bicuspids were prepared with Class V cavity preparations on the buccal and lingual surfaces. After amalgam placement, they were divided into the following groups and treated accordingly. Group 1 : Polishing after 24 hours Group 2 : Immediate sealant application without polishing Group 3 : No polishing, but sealant applied after thermocycling 500 times After treatment, the samples were thermocycled 500 times between $5^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$ with a dwell time of 30 seconds. After thermocycling, the samples were dipped into 1% methylene blue kept in a $37^{\circ}C$ incubator at 100% humidity for 24 hours. The teeth were then embedded in resin and cut bucco-lingually along the tooth axis and observed with a stereomicroscope to determine the degree of microleakage, The following results were obtained : 1. Group 2 showed the least microleakeage, while group 1 showed the greatest. 2. Group 1 showed significantly greater microleakage compared to group 2 (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found between group 1 and 3(p>0.05). No significant differences in microleakage were also found between cup 2 and 3(p<0.05).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-33
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to analyze the in vitro and in vivo corrosion products of low and high copper amalgams. The four different types of amalgam alloy used in this study were Fine cut, Caulk spherical, Dispersalloy, and Tytin. After each amalgam alloy and Hg were triturated according to the directions of the manufacturer by means of the mechanical amalgamator(Amalgam mixer. Shinhung Co. Korea), the triturated mass was inserted into a cylindrical metal mold which was 12mm in diameter and 10mm in height. The mass was condensed by 150Kg/cm compressive force. The specimen was removed from the mold and aged at room temperature for about seven days. The standard surface preparation was routinely carried out by emery paper polishing under running water. In vitro amalgam specimens were potentiostatically polarized ten times in a normal saline solution at $37^{\circ}C$(potentiostat : HA-301. Hukuto Denko Corp. Japan). Each specimen was subjected to anodic polarization scan within the potential range -1700mV to+400mV(SCE). After corrosion tests, anodic polarization curves and corrosion potentials were obtained. The amount of component elements dissolved from amalgams into solution was measured three times by ICP AES(Inductive Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry: Plasma 40. Perkim Elmer Co. U.S.A.). The four different types of amalgam were filled in occlusal and buccal class I cavities of four human 3rd molars. After about five years the restorations were carefully removed after tooth extraction to preserve the structural details including the deteriorated margins. The occlusal surface, amalgam-tooth interface and the fractured surface of in vivo amalgam corrosion products were analyzed. In vivo and in vitro amalgam specimens were examined and analyzed metallographically by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope: JSM 840. Jeol Co. Japan) and EDAX(Energy Dispersive Micro X-ray Analyser: JSM 840. Jeol Co. Japan). 1. The following results are obtained from in vitro corrosion tests. 1) Corrosion potentials of all amalgams became more noble after ten times passing through the in vitro corrosion test compared to first time. 2) After times through the test, released Cu concentration in saline solution was almost equal but highest in Fine cut. Ag and Hg ion concentration was highest in Caulk spherical and Sn was highest in Dispersalloy. 3) Analyses of surface corrosion products in vitro reveal the following results. a)The corroded surface of Caulk spherical has Na-Sn-Cl containing clusters of $5{\mu}m$ needle-like crystals and oval shapes of Sn-Cl phase, polyhedral Sn oxide phase. b)In Fine cut, there appeared to be a large Sn containing phase, surrounded by many Cu-Sn phases of $1{\mu}m$ granular shapes. c)Dispersalloy was covered by a thick reticular layer which contained Zn-Cl phase. d)In Tytin, a very thin, corroded layer had formed with irregularly growing Sn-Cl phases that looked like a stack of plates. 2. The following results are obtained by an analysis of in vivo amalgam corrosion products. 1) Occlusal surfaces of all amalgams were covered by thick amorphous layers containing Ca-P elements which were abraded by occlusal force. 2) In tooth-amalgam interface, Ca-P containing products were examined in all amalgams but were most clearly seen in low copper amalgams. 3) Sn oxide appeared as a polyhedral shape in internal space in Caulk spherical and Fine cut. 4) Apical pyramidal shaped Sn oxide and curved plate-like Sn-Cl phases resulted in Dispersalloy. 5) In Tytin, Sn oxide and Sn hydroxide were not seen but polyhedral Ag-Hg phase crystal appeared in internal space which assumed a ${\beta}_l$ phase.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.107-119
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal adaptability of the amalgam restorations in applying the cavity varnish (Copalite$^{(R)}$) and dentin bonding agent (Scotchbond 2$^{(R)}$) under the scanning electron microscope. For this study, eighteen sound extracted human molars were selected. Class I cavities in 12 teeth and class V cavities in 6 teeth were prepared using an air turbine with No. 701 tungsten carbide bur and finished using a low speed handpiece with No. 557 fissure bur. The prepared specimens were then divided into three groups including 4 class I cavities and 2 class V cavities in each group and restored as follows ; Group I. All the prepared cavities were restored with amalgam only (Control). Group II. Two layers of Copalite$^{(R)}$ cavity varnish were applied to the cavities with a gentle stream of air after each application and cavities were restored with amalgam. Group III. The enamel cavity margins were etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel for 60 sec., rinsed for 30 sec. and dried. One layer of visible lightcured Scotchbond Dental Adhesive$^{(R)}$ was applied and immediately cured for 20 seconds with visible light-cure unit and cavities were restored with amalgam. All the specimens were cut at the neck of the teeth and the occlusal halves of specimens were sectioned buccolingually in the longitudinal axis centering the amalgam restorations, using the disk. The cut specimens were ground with sandpapers (400, 600, 800, 1000 grit), and cleaned for 5 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner (Brason Co. U.S.A.). In the cut surfaces, the amalgam - tooth interfaces were examined under the scanning electron microscope (JSM, 35C type, JEOL). The obtained results were as follows ; 1. The amalgam-tooth interfaces were reduced more significantly in the Copalite$^{(R)}$ and Scotchbond 2$^{(R)}$ application group than in the control group. 2. In the class I cavities, the Scotchbond 2$^{(R)}$ application group showed the findings similar to the Copalite$^{(R)}$ application group in the cavity floor, and the marginal adaptability was better in the side wall than in the cavity floor. 3. In the class I cavities, the Scotchbond 2$^{(R)}$ application group showed better marginal adaptability in the occlusal margin than in the gingival margin. 4. The marginal adaptability was in the order of the Scothbond 2$^{(R)}$ application group, the Copalite$^{(R)}$ application group and the control group.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.31 no.3 s.86
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• pp.381-391
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• 2001

In orthodontic patients, frequently, amalgam restorations are present on the buccal surface of molars. The ability to successfully bond orthodontic brackets and buccal tubes to amalgam restorations would therefore be of clinical value. But the bond strength to total amalgam surface is probably not critical in most instances. Because there is usually a considerable amount of sound enamel surrounding a buccal amalgam filling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strengths of orthodontic brackets according to surface treatments and size of amalgam restorations. Eighty tooth specimen were assigned to four groups according to amalgam size-1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm diameter-and then divided into two groups : one half was sandblasting group the other half was no sandblasting group. After Bracket bonding, shear bond strength for each specimen was determined and bond failure patterns was evaluated. 1. Shear bond strength of amalgam size 1.5mm group was significantly higher than that of the other groups. (p<0.05) 2. There was no significant difference in the bond strength produced by sandblasting. (p<0.05) 3. Shear bond strength of G and H group of which amalgam restoration ratio to the bracket base sizes were $61\%$ were significantly decreased $50-60\% level of that of control group. (p<0.05) 4. There was positive correlation between sandblasting and mARI. (p<0.05) The results of the present study indicate that it may be feasible to bond orthodontic bracket clinically successfully to amalgam restoration with conventional orthodontic resin when its size is less than $50\%$ of that of bracket base.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2013

This study investigated the safety management behavior of dental professionals to minimize exposure to harmful elements of amalgam and resin. As for the use of amalgam and resin, 85.8% of them used amalgam. 100% of used composite resin 100%. 97.8% used acryl resin, and 95.7% used tray resin. 95.2% and 36.5% of them were aware of the harm of amalgam and resin respectively. When using resin, their safety management behavior score was 1.99 on average, and the lowest score was 2.50 on average for 'ventilate the indoor air when handling resin'. Their average score of the safety management behavior was 1.83 when using amalgam. The lowest score was 2.89 on average for 'use the rubber dam for patients when handling amalgam'. As a result of the safety management behavior based on general characteristics, all characteristics were significant with regard to amalgam, and my position at work and work experience were significant with regard to resin (p<0.05). The correlation between the safety management behavior and general characteristics was analyzed when dental amalgam and resin are used. Amalgam was statistically correlated with academic background (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05), whereas resin was statistically significantly correlated with age (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05). Accordingly, education about the harm of dental materials must be continuously provided for dental professionals when they handle dental materials so that safety management behavior will be conducted correctly, and active efforts to protect the health of dental professionals from harmful chemicals must be made.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.291-316
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• 1993

Restorative procedures can lead to tooth fracture due to the relatively small amount of the remaining tooth structure. It is essential to prevent fractures by having a clear concept of the designs for cavity preparations. Among the several parameters in cavity designs, profound understanding of isthmus width factor would facilitate selection of the appropriate cavity preparation for a specific clinical situation. In this study, MO amalgam cavity were prepared on maxillary first premolar and filled with amalgam. Three dimensional, model with 1365 8-node brick elements was made by serial photographic method. In this model, isthmus was varied in width at 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 of intercuspal width and material properties were given for three element groups, i.e., enamel, dentin and amalgam. A load of 500 N was applied vertically on amalgam and enamel. In case of enamel loading, 2 model (with and without amalgam) was compared to consider the possibility of play at the interface between tooth material and amalgam. These models were analyzed with three dimensional finite element method. The results were as follows: 1. The stress was concentrated on the facio-pulpal line angle and distal marginal ridge of the cavity. 2. With the increase of the isthmus width, the stress spread around the facio-pulpal line angle and the area of stress concentration moved toward the proximal box. 3. In case of narrow isthmus width, the initiation point of crack would be in the area of isthmus corner of the cavity, and with the increase of the isthmus width, it would move toward the proximal box and at the same time the possibility of crack increase at the distal marginal ridge. 4. The direction of crack progressed outward and downward from the facio-pulpal line angle, and with the increase of the isthmus width, it approximated vertical direction. At the marginal ridge, it occurred in vertical direction. 5. It would be favorable to make the isthmus width narrower than a third of the intercuspal width, and to cover the cusp if isthmus width were wider than half of the intercuspal width. 6. It is necessary to apply the possibility of play to the finite element analysis.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.190-195
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to estimate the relationship between amalgam removal and urinary mercury levels. To measure urinary mercury concentration, urine of participants was collected at baseline, immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after removal of amalgam restorations. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 20.0. The overall mean urinary mercury concentration at baseline, immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after removal of amalgam restorations was 2.77, 2.75, 2.95 and $4.00{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. Logistic regression model shows that the gender leads to increased odds of high urinary mercury concentration in children (odds ratio, OR=1.99), even after adjusting for high amalgam surfaces (OR=1.23) and fish consumption (OR=1.26) at the baseline. Our findings suggest that mercury exposure from dental amalgam adversely impact health and therefore are a health risk.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1989

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the apical leakage among the retrograde filling materials; retrograde filling with non-zinc amalgam, cavity varnish and non-zinc amalgam, z.o.e cement, Glass Ionomer cement, scotch bond and silux. Sixty single rooted teeth were divided into six groups and each tooth was individually prepared for its particular group. The specimens were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hrs and then were infiltrated by 2% methylene blue for 7 days. Apical leakage was evaluated by measuring the degree of dye penetration between the filling material and the canal wall. The results were as follows: 1. The scotch bond and silux group showed the least amount of apical leakage and the control group showed the greatest amount of apical leakage. 2. The groups retrofilled with cavity varnish and amalgam, glass-Ionomer cement, scotch bond and silux showed significantly good apical seal than control group. 3. The groups retrofilled with glass Ionomer cement, scotchbond and silux showed significantly good apical seal than the groups retrofilled with Amalgam and Zinc oxide eugenol cement.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.93-109
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• 1997

Finding a right repair material for furcation perforation is one of the major issues in clinical endodontics. In this experiment, three materials, calcium sulfate, amalgam, and calcium hydroxide were tested for perforated furcation repair. Sixty premolars and molars of five dogs were used. A #4 round bur was used to create the perforation. All experimental teeth were divided into two repair-time groups. One was immediate-repair group, where the perforation was repaired immediately, the other was delayed-repair group, where the perforation was left open for four weeks and then repaired with the same manner as in the immediate-repiar group. All chamber openings were sealed with amalgam and then radiographed. The animals were sacrificed at eighth week following the repair procedure. Radiographic evaluation for furcal bone destruction was done. Histologic evaluation was ranked as 0,1,2,3 according to the inflammation degrees. New bone formation was also recorded. The following conclusions were drawn within the limits of the experimental results: 1. In immediate-repair group, no significant differences existed between the materials. 2. In delayed-repair group, calcium sulfate showed significantly less furcal bone destruction and lower inflammation degree than amalgam.(p<0.05) 3. Overextruded specimens showed more severe inflammation than unextruded specimens. 4. Most of the specimens showed certain degrees of inflammatory reaction and incomplete hard tissue healing. 5. In delayed-repair group, treated group showed less inflammation than untreated control group.