Galvanic effect of the amalgam filling
Amalgam fillings are made of a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury. Amalgam is extremely durable and able to withstand the grinding and chewing of your back teeth over long periods of time. However, researches have shown that the presence of mercury in amalgam fillings is dangerous, especially when mercury is found in an area close to the human brain. Mercury is extremely toxic to the nervous system, kidneys, and livers. Mercury may result in defects in fetuses for pregnant women. People with an amalgam filling in their mouths have experienced mild electric shocks when the amalgam came in contact with an aluminum foil, aluminum fork or spoon. Since saliva contains electrolytes, it works as a conductor of the formed electric current. The reaction between mercury and aluminum is summarized by the following equation:
Al +Hg+→ Al 3+ + Hg
a) Prove that this reaction is redox.
b) Write the oxidation and reduction half-reactions, then the overall redox reaction.
c) Identify the metal that has more tendency to lose electrons in this reaction, and the metal that has less tendency to lose electrons.
d) Explain the feeling of electric shock in people with amalgam fillings.
e) It is said that Aluminum and mercury form a "battery" effect in your mouth. Explain this statement.
f) Refer to the passage to answer these questions:
i) What is the medium that conducts the formed electric current in your mouth? Why?
ii) Why are amalgam fillings used in dentistry?
iii) What are the toxic effects of mercury to humans?
g) Based on this information, would you approve using amalgam fillings in your teeth? Why?
*picture was taken from naturaldentistry.us
Amalgam fillings are made of a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury. Amalgam is extremely durable and able to withstand the grinding and chewing of your back teeth over long periods of time. However, researches have shown that the presence of mercury in amalgam fillings is dangerous, especially when mercury is found in an area close to the human brain. Mercury is extremely toxic to the nervous system, kidneys, and livers. Mercury may result in defects in fetuses for pregnant women. People with an amalgam filling in their mouths have experienced mild electric shocks when the amalgam came in contact with an aluminum foil, aluminum fork or spoon. Since saliva contains electrolytes, it works as a conductor of the formed electric current. The reaction between mercury and aluminum is summarized by the following equation:
Al +Hg+→ Al 3+ + Hg
a) Prove that this reaction is redox.
b) Write the oxidation and reduction half-reactions, then the overall redox reaction.
c) Identify the metal that has more tendency to lose electrons in this reaction, and the metal that has less tendency to lose electrons.
d) Explain the feeling of electric shock in people with amalgam fillings.
e) It is said that Aluminum and mercury form a "battery" effect in your mouth. Explain this statement.
f) Refer to the passage to answer these questions:
i) What is the medium that conducts the formed electric current in your mouth? Why?
ii) Why are amalgam fillings used in dentistry?
iii) What are the toxic effects of mercury to humans?
g) Based on this information, would you approve using amalgam fillings in your teeth? Why?
*picture was taken from naturaldentistry.us
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