Summary: The authors investigated the rate of mercury release into a model solution of saliva from a group of six high-copper and one classical amalgam. The time for assessment was 10 days to 36 months after preparation of the samples. In the majority of materials up to 18 months a significant decline was recorded, the lowest rate of mercury release was permanently found for Tytin. Classical amalgam did not differ as to its results from the behaviour of the whole group of investigated materials. The authors document the correlation between mercury release and its content in the filling.

        Key words: dental amalgam – mercury release – time dependence