Method for neutralizing mercury derived from dental amalgams
OwnerRamgopal D. Goodmaninventor
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Abstract
A method for preventing mercury released from amalgam dental fillings from passing into and adversely effecting the body by the use of sulfur in effective amounts. A protective layer may be formed over hardened amalgam surfaces by brushing a tooth surface with a toothpaste composition containing sulfur. Alternatively, surfaces of a tooth cavity can be coated with a lining composition containing sulfur, and the dental amalgam may then inserted into the lined cavity to form dental restorations of improved corrosion resistance. Also, sulfur may be incorporated into setting compositions comprising a dental amalgam alloy composed mainly of silver and tin, and including mercury in an amount sufficient to amalgamate said alloy.
Claims6
A method for preventing mercury released from amalgam dental fillings from passing into and adversely effecting the body which comprises applying an effective amount of sulfur to surfaces of said amalgam dental fillings.
A method for forming dental restorations which comprises:
- preparing a cavity within a carious tooth for receiving a dental amalgam filling;
- coating the surfaces of said cavity with a layer of sulfur lining composition;
- and
- filling said cavity with a Ag-Hg-Sn dental amalgam, whereby free mercury present in said amalgam is diffused into and amalgamates with said sulfur of the lining composition so as to form an integral restoration which is substantially resistant to corrosion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.