The present paper describes a fast and reproducible procedure, employing differential pulse stripping analysis technique with graphite microelectrodes, for the quantitative evaluation of the ionic fraction of heavy metals (namely Hg, Cu, and Zn) released from dental amalgams into synthetic saliva during 6-90 h contact between amalgam and saliva, after completion of the dental restoration (short-term release). The Zn(2+) concentration was evaluated by linear calibration, whereas Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) contents were estimated by the standard additions method. While the concentration of Zn(2+) ion does not increase significantly anymore after a 6-h contact (values from 288+/-12 to 346+/-12 mugdm(-3) at time of contact from 6 to 90 h, respectively), in the same time interval the concentration of both Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions progressively increases (from 38+/-6 to 197+/-4 mugdm(-3) and from 15+/-3 to 101+/-2 mugdm(-3), respectively). The results of the release tests reveal that Hg concentration is at the highest level of risk (HBM III), as identified by the three human biomonitoring categories suggested by the Institut für Wasser-, Boden- und Lufthygiene des Umweltbundesamtes (Germany) for the estimation of potential harmful effects on health due to exposure to heavy metals.