13 Introduction To Amalgam Restorations Pocket Dentistry

13 Introduction To Amalgam Restorations Pocket Dentistry Dental amalgam is a metallic restorative material composed of a mixture of silver–tin–copper alloy and mercury. the unset mixture is pressed (condensed) into a specifically prepared undercut tooth form and contoured to restore the tooth’s form and function. when the material hardens, the tooth is functional again, restored with a silver. Indications. complex posterior amalgam restorations should be considered when large amounts of tooth structure are missing and when one or more cusps need capping (fig. 16 1). 1 complex amalgams can be used as (1) definitive final restorations, (2) foundations, (3) control restorations in teeth that have a questionable pulpal or periodontal.

13 Introduction To Amalgam Restorations Pocket Dentistry A. amalgam is a metal alloy of which one of the elements is mercury (hg). alloys are metals that are a combination of several elements. b. dental amalgam is made by mixing approximately equal parts (by weight) of a powdered metal alloy with liquid mercury. these components are illustrated in figure 6.1. Dental amalgam is one of the most versatile restorative materials used in dentistry. it constitutes approximately 75% of all restorative materials used by dentists. it has served as a dental restoration for more than 165 years. there is still no adequate economic alternative for dental amalgam. Opdam et al, [57] found a survival rate of 91.7% for composite resin, at five years, and 82.2% at 10 years. for amalgam, the survival rate was 89.6% at five years and 79.2% at 10 years. cox regression analysis resulted in a significant effect of the amount of restored surfaces on the survival of the restorations. Amalgam is an alloy that contains mercury, and has been used in restorative dentistry for over 150 years. 1, 4, 5 dental amalgam is safe and effective, 5 and especially suitable for heavy load bearing teeth, although concerns about esthetics may limit its contemporary usage, particularly in anterior teeth. 1, 6 further issues regarding environmental concerns and potential health effects have.