Advantages And Disadvantage Of Amalgam

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In dentistry there are two common types of restorative cavity filling material; amalgam and composite. Let’s take a deeper look at both materials and what they are composed of. Amalgam has been the traditional material for filling cavities in posterior teeth for the last 150 years and, due to its effectiveness and cost, amalgam is still the restorative material of choice in certain parts of the world. In recent times, however, there have been concerns over the use of amalgam restorations (fillings), relating to the mercury release in the body and the environmental impact following its disposal. Resin composites have become an esthetic alternative to amalgam restorations and there has been a remarkable improvement of its mechanical properties …show more content…

Amalgam is a combination of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Mercury, which makes up about half of the compound, is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard, lasting, durable filling. A composite filling is a; tooth-colored, insensitive to dehydration, easy to manipulate, and reasonably inexpensive filling. This composite material is a plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Amalgam is a very, strong durable filling material, so it can last years longer than other materials. The typical life-span for amalgam is ranges from 10 to 15 years. They are a great option to fill in any decayed areas of your teeth. The composite fillings don’t have the same longevity as amalgam fillings, and on average sustain for about 7-10 years. Nonetheless, composites still show to be an incredibly strong, successful treatment for most cavities. All this talk about composite and amalgam might have you thinking; what is more affordable and how much do they even cost? Well, hold tight, because we are about to find out. Amalgam fillings can cost between $50 and $150 for one to two teeth, and between $120 and $300 for more than two teeth. While composite filling range between $90 and $250 for one to two …show more content…

Composite has the worst coefficient of thermal expansion, the most water absorption, the most shrinkage during placement and the most internal stress. In conclusion, while composite and amalgam fillings, both have advantages and disadvantages we must look at the big picture and take all the factors into consideration which choosing the best filling option for you. I am no expert and do not seek to persuade you one way or the other, but rather I hope to provide you with some research regarding both materials and let you decide for yourself which material will better suit your needs. What material you should choose depends on multiple factors, including: your dentist, the location and size of your cavity, dental insurance/cost, allergic reactions, and preference to name a few. Nevertheless, I will conclude this paper by sharing with you what I believe to be the restorative material with the most benefits. Based on my findings composites are more likely to succumb to recurrent decay in the short term, but that amalgam is more likely to fracture a tooth in the long term (longer than many of these studies go). Recurrent decay can be fixed with a new filling while a fractured tooth is either lost or needs a crown and/or root canal. Even though, composite may cause more problems in the short term their solution to that problem is easier and cheaper than a fractured

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