Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2023 , Vol 26, Issue 1
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF AMALGAM FILLING AND COGNITION IN OLDER ADULTS
Savaş ÖZARSLANTÜRK1, Mehmet İlkin NAHARCI2, Numan AYDIN3, Serpil KARAOĞLANOĞLU3, Elif Aybala OKTAY3
1University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ankara, Turkey
2University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine & Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Division of Geriatrics, Ankara, Turkey
3University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dental Treatment, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.29400/tjgeri.2023.334 Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dental amalgam filling and cognition in older adults.

Materials and Methods: A total of 169 patients aged 65 years and above were recruited from a geriatric outpatient clinic. Their socio-demographic and chronic disease data were recorded. All patients underwent oral examinations. Amalgam filling index scores were calculated for individuals with amalgam fillings. The participants were divided into a study group [amalgam (+)] and a control group [amalgam (-)] based on their amalgam-filling statuses. For subanalysis, the amalgam-filled group was categorised according to high (≥4.191) and low (<4.191) mean index scores. Standardised mini-mental test, clock drawing test and Lawton-Brody instrumental activities of daily living scale were conducted for all patients.

Results: About 46.2% (n=78) of participants were female, mean age was 69.6 ± 6.3 years and 53.7% (n=89) had amalgam fillings. There was no significant difference in the standardised mini-mental test, clock drawing test and Lawton- Brody instrumental activities of daily living scale scores between the study and control groups (all p>0.05), or in all test scores between participants with high and low amalgam scores in the group with amalgam fillings.

Conclusions: This study showed that dental amalgam fillings were not associated with cognitive decline in older adults. Keywords : Aged; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dental Amalgam