[The release of mercury and copper from in vivo aged amalgam fillings].

Release of mercury and copper in water over time from in vivo annealed amalgams in an unpolished and polished state was measured. Mercury and copper loss from unpolished amalgams was on the average 1,00 micrograms/cm2.d and 0.06 micrograms/cm2.d, respectively. Polishing the amalgams reduced these values significantly to 0.19 micrograms/cm2.d for mercury (p = 0.004) and to 0.03 micrograms/cm2.d for copper (p = 0.009). It was concluded that polishing amalgam surfaces (under water cooling) reduces release of mercury and copper significantly.