Amalgam - Rationale for Use
Dental amalgam has been used for over 150 years. Gold restorations are the only used longer than amalgam. Dental amalgam is a combination of mixing mercury and a metallic powder composed of silver, tin, copper, and zinc. Dental amalgam is one of the most predictable and cost effective dental restorations there is. It lasts longer than any restoration other than gold. There is less sensitivity after placing an amalgam restoration, and treatment time in the chair is significantly less than other restorations. Its only drawback is its gray color.
Today, dental amalgam is used in many situations. It is used for fillings on children and adults. Teeth that have large fillings in a stress bearing area are well served by amalgam fillings. Also small restorations are easily restored by amalgam. Amalgam restorations are also used for bases for building up a tooth prior to a crown. If a patient has poor oral hygiene, amalgam restorations last longer. Cost of amalgam fillings are approximately 50% less than a comparative white filling. An amalgam is not used in front teeth where esthetics is important, and where there is not adequate tooth structure and full coverage or a crown is needed.
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