Frisk P, Danersund A, Hudecek R, Lindh U. Changed clinical chemistry pattern in blood after removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy. Biological Trace Element Research. 2007 Winter;120(1-3):163-170.
Some patients seek amalgam removal because of health complaints they link to dental metals. A Swedish team studied whether blood chemistry patterns shift after amalgam (and other metal alloy) removal when care is paired with antioxidant support—the “Uppsala model” context of physician–dentist collaboration.
What the study found
Twenty-four patients referred for amalgam-related complaints had their amalgams removed. All received antioxidants: vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and sodium selenite. An age- and sex-matched control group of 22 people was included. Investigators compared three groups—patients Before removal, After removal, and Controls—on plasma Hg and Se, erythrocyte Hg, and 17 clinical chemistry variables.
After removal (with antioxidant support):
- Plasma Hg and Se decreased (p < 0.05).
- Erythrocyte Hg decreased (p < 0.05).
- Serum LDH and serum sodium differed significantly both Control vs Before and Before vs After (p < 0.01).
- White blood cell count and neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts, plus serum potassium and creatinine, differed Before vs After (p < 0.05).
- Multivariate discriminant analysis separated Before vs After with only one misclassification.
[Paywall note: Springer full text may require access; figures and exact concentration values are summarized from the PubMed abstract. This study does not prove that antioxidants alone caused the changes, nor that amalgam removal cures specific diseases—interpret as laboratory-pattern shifts in a referred cohort.]
Why it matters for SMART
SMART addresses how amalgams are removed—to limit acute exposure—while medical partners may address systemic follow-up. Frisk et al. document measurable blood-chemistry reorganization after removal plus antioxidant therapy in symptomatic referrals, including lower blood mercury compartments. That supports careful, protected removal (SMART) rather than unprotected drilling, and underscores coordinating with a physician when patients pursue integrative support. It does not mean every patient needs the same supplement protocol; antioxidant regimens belong under medical supervision.
Practical takeaways
- Plan removal with medical partners — Especially when systemic symptoms drove the referral.
- Use SMART chairside protection — Lowering acute exposure during removal aligns with safer systemic transitions.
- Expect lab patterns—not instant “cures” — Chemistry shifts are signals to discuss with clinicians, not DIY diagnoses.
- Do not self-prescribe antioxidants — The study’s vitamins/selenite were part of a supervised protocol.
- Track mercury compartments thoughtfully — Plasma and erythrocyte Hg fell after removal in this cohort.
Bottom line: In 24 amalgam-referred patients, Frisk and colleagues found lower plasma/erythrocyte mercury and a distinctly changed clinical chemistry pattern after amalgam (and other alloy) removal supported by antioxidant therapy—evidence that protected removal plus medical coordination can be accompanied by measurable laboratory shifts, without overclaiming clinical cures.