Gingivo-mucosal and cutaneous reactions to amalgam fillings.

BACKGROUND

A number of reports exist on the side effects of materials used to restore teeth. Most of the cases involve local allergy reactions, but also skin lesions are described. Few cases are described where both local effects on the mucosa and skin lesions distant to the oral cavity are caused by amalgam.

RESULT

The case presented indicates that the release of mercury from amalgam fillings is able to induce hypersensitivity reactions resulting in soft-tissue changes in the gingiva, buccal mucosa, tongue and on the skin of the back of the hands.