Effects of amalgam corrosion products on human cells

Using three independent criteria, we have found that 10−4‐10−6M concentrations of ions presumably liberated from the corrosion of dental amalgam produce injurious effects on either human gingival fibroblasts or HeLa cells when the cells are grown in culture. Release of 51Cr and uptake of trypan blue dye were seen with 10−5M Hg++ and Ag+. Inhibition of amino acid incorporation into protein‐like material was seen with eluates of amalgam and with ionic solutions of most metals comprising dental amalgam. Stannous ion showed little if any cytotoxic potential. These results suggest that corrosion products of amalgam are capable of causing cellular injury or destruction.