by 
The Curious Bag
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The mercury found in dental fillings is used to bind the powdered silver or tin into a paste that can be placed in the cavity. Mercury is used because it is the only metal alloy that is liquid at room temperature, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Vapors
The mercury in the fillings gives off a vapor that is absorbed by the lungs as the patient inhales. In small amounts, this vapor is harmless.
In the Lungs
High levels of mercury vapors in the lungs can damage the respiratory system. It can cause symptoms as minor as a sore throat or as severe as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Other Areas
The inhaled vapors can enter the bloodstream to eventually affect the liver, muscles and gastrointestinal system. It can cause weakness, nausea, diarrhea and liver failure in chronic exposure cases.
Acceptable Levels
The FDA states that for continuous exposure to mercury vapors, the amount of mercury in the air should not exceed 0.0025 milligrams per cubic meter of space. A patient with mercury fillings doesn't receive a fraction of this amount.
The Real Risk
The dentist and dental hygienist are people that at real risk from the mercury in amalgam because they handle it several times a day, five to six days a week. The FDA levels are the limits for a 40-hour work week for these professionals.
Source:
U.S. FDA: About Dental Amalgam Fillings
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