Abstract

DIAZ CABALLERO, Antonio; MATSON ROBLES, Álvaro; FANG MERCADO, Luis  and  HERRERA HERRERA, Alejandra. Pigmentation and rejection of amalgam used as retrograde obturation material in dental apicectomy. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.3, pp.411-418. ISSN 0120-5552.

Within the endodontic surgical procedures, apicectomy is recognized as a possible treatment for the resolution of diseases that require the removal of the root apex. This procedure requires a retrograde filling to seal the opening created and that is why specific materials which provide a high biocompatibility are needed. The amalgam was widely used in the past for the many advantages it provides, but today is quite challenged by exposing patients in contact with it, used in retro-filling, to develop different conditions. When the particles are introduced into the tissues, the same body recognizes them as foreign and rejects them by forming a capsule of cells and fibrous tissue around the fragments isolating it and inducing its decomposition. Since its components are metals and the body is not able to destroy them, it dissociates and eliminates them. Silver is the most difficult to remove and it remains in form of salts, coloring the surrounding tissue forming the famous "silver amalgam pigmentation". In our case the patient underwent apicectomy with retrograde obturation with amalgam, which broke off a piece that was rejected inducing the pigmentation of mucogingival tissues and the expulsion through the gingival mucosa.

Keywords : Dental amalgam; amalgam; pigmentation; foreign body; foreign body reaction.

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