Saliva Mineral Analysis (SMA) 

Dental amalgams can contain mercury and other harmful metals. These metals can leach or leak out of the fillings over time. The concentration of the metals is highly variable and is dependent upon the preparation of the amalgam. TMI's saliva test evaluates if amalgam fillings release dangerous metals into the patient's saliva. In fact, this two-step test compares the metal concentration of two saliva samples. One saliva sample is taken before chewing and one after a period of 10 minutes of chewing gum. After these two tests are analyzed via mass spectroscopy, the metal concentrations are compared.

This tests provides the following information:

1. whether the saliva that had been taken before the chewing period shows even the slightest metal concentration.

2. whether prolonged chewing caused on increase in metal concentration.

If chewing did not increase the saliva metal concentration, your amalgam fillings are in good shape. If the metal concentration increased, there is evidence that potentially dangerous metals are released into your system.

1. The patient should abstain from eating and drinking for a period of two hours before collecting the sample.
2. Collect specimen #1 prior to chewing gum in the test kit. Be sure to use Specimen Container #1.
3. The patient should chew the gum provided with the test kit for ten minutes. Collect specimen #2 during that time. Be careful none of the saliva is swallowed. All of the saliva is needed for an accurate measurement of metals concentration. Be sure to use Specimen Container #2.
4. Write date, patient name, sex and age on labels.
5. Send to TMI with appropriate information.