Inquiry

[Richard Weems]

Our resident biomaterials guru, Dr. Jack, Lemons says that your are
definitely having changes in the metallic make-up of your restorations due
to the electrical charge and should stop doing what you are doing. Long term
consequences may involve inflammation of the soft tissue to the metallic
changes.
--

Richard A. Weems, D.M.D., M.S.
Director of Student and Alumni Affairs
School of Dentistry, room 124
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1919 7th. Ave. So.
Birmingham, AL 35294

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>From: Lisa Koenig <lisa.koenig at MARQUETTE.EDU>
>To: ORADLIST at LISTSERV.UCLA.EDU
>Subject: Inquiry
>Date: Tue, Jan 29, 2002, 9:34 AM
>

> Hi All,  I received the following inquiry.   Has anyone got any ideas?
> Lisa
>
> Dear Dr. Koenig,
> I'm wondering if you might be able to provide some insight into an unusual
> problem I've been experiencing. I work as an activity guide for an electric
> utility. My job includes teaching children about static electricity and
> electrical safety.
> In the past few months when using our Van de Graff generator, which
> produces large amounts of static electricity, I've noticed that shortly
> after starting the generator I have a terrible metallic taste in my mouth.
> As time has gone on, the metallic taste lasts longer and longer...sometimes
> up to several hours.
> I haven't been able to find any information on this type of problem, thus
> my letter to you. Is it possible that the static charge is somehow changing
> the make up of my fillings or of the bridge I have? What could the long
> term implications of this problem be?
> I would greatly appreciate any help you might give me concerning this problem.
> Sincerely,
> Kris