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Amalgam filling on first molar. In dentistry, amalgam is an alloy of mercury used to fill teeth cavities. [1] It is made by mixing a combination of liquid mercury and particles of solid metals such as silver, copper or tin. The amalgam is mixed by the dentist just before use.
Amalgam is a metallic filling material composed from a mixture of mercury (from 43% to 54%) and a powdered alloy made mostly of silver, tin, zinc and copper, commonly called the amalgam alloy. [16] Amalgam does not adhere to tooth structure without the aid of cements or use of techniques which lock in the filling, using the same principles as a ...
Versatility: Composite fillings can be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth [18] which would not be repairable using amalgam fillings. Repairability: In many cases of minor damage to a composite filling, the damage can be easily repaired by adding additional composite. An amalgam filling might require complete replacement.
Composites and amalgam are used mainly for direct restoration. Composites can be made of color matching the tooth, and the surface can be polished after the filling procedure has been completed. Amalgam fillings expand with age, possibly cracking the tooth and requiring repair and filling replacement, but chance of leakage of filling is less.
The history of dental treatments dates back to thousands of years. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The scope of this article is limited to the pre-1981 history . The earliest known example of dental caries manipulation is found in a Paleolithic man, dated between 14,160 and 13,820 BP . [ 3 ]
He is also known for his principles of tooth preparations, in which he outlines the proper methods to prepare teeth for fillings. These cavity preparations used principles of engineering and material sciences to maximize strength and retention of the amalgam filling and minimize fractures as well as tooth anatomy, to minimize pulp exposure. [ 4 ]
Amalgam filling: giving overall darker appearance to the tooth. Amalgam fillings often stain the tooth they are placed in. [11] This is most noticeable in very old fillings, as pigment slowly leaches out of the amalgam filling material and its associated corroded surfaces. In addition, metallic fillings cast a shadow that can be visible through ...
Inlays are a type of indirect restoration (filling) that is used to restore extensively damaged or decayed teeth. When compared to conventional (direct) fillings, inlays have several advantages: Inlays are extremely strong and durable: well-made gold inlays, in particular, have exceptional longevity with proper care [ 8 ]