The truism "the dose makes the poison" is an appropriate characterisation of the principal issue involved in the dental amalgam controversy. No one disputes that Mercury, like many other elements and compounds, is toxic in large doses. Nor does anyone dispute that mercury escapes in small quantities from dental amalgam restorations, just as small quantities of elements and compounds escape from all other biomaterials used in the body. The issue is, does enough mercury escape from amalgam restorations to cause adverse health effects? In recent years the discussion of whether dental amalgam is safe for use in filling caries has been a hot topic. In this project I will give an explanation of what dental amalgam is, mentioning and highlighting …show more content…
Dental amalgam is usually a mixture of metal components consisting of mostly liquid mercury and powdered alloys composed of copper, tin and silver (Von, 2010). The controversy over the mercury component of dental amalgam is as old as its origin. Although in use for more than 150 years, dental amalgam has been questioned as a dental restoration material due to its alleged health hazard. Humans are exposed to mercury and the other main dental amalgam metals via vapour, corrosion products in swallowed saliva, and direct absorption into the blood from the oral cavity. (Eneström & Hultman, 1995).
Mercury usually occurs in several chemical and physical forms: elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds and organic chemical compounds. It is alleged that fish and dental amalgams are the two major sources of human exposure to organic and inorganic mercury respectively. In our case, exposure from dental amalgams usually occurs through inhalation of mercury evaporating from the filling. The CNS and the kidneys are the primary target organs for the poison emanating from mercury. It is diagnosed by testing the amount of mercury in hair, blood, and urine (Tyler,
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Short-term exposure of humans to very high levels of organic mercury compounds results in CNS effects such as blindness, deafness, and impaired level of consciousness (EPA, 2000). Elementary mercury is the form used in thermometers, barometers, batteries, and dental amalgams (ATSDR, 1999). Its observed short-term effects include tremors, mood changes, and slowed sensory and motor nerve function. Chronic exposure to elemental mercury in humans also affects the CNS, with conditions such as erethism (increased excitability), irritability, excessive shyness, and
In comparing micro-leakage of resin-modified glass-ionomers (RMGI), flowable composite liners, and no liners, it was found that by applying a RMGI liner before placing the composite decreased the extent of micro-leakage3. By doing this, the farthest the micro-leakage occurred was to the cervical wall, whereas with composite liners and no liners there was leakage to the cervical wall and into the axial wall3. The reason for the difference could be attributed to the bond between the glass ionomer and composite. This bond is weak and can be thought of as an unbounded wall, leading to less shrinkage stress to the bonds between composite and dentin3.
Pit and fissure sealants are tooth coloured materials that are applied on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth in deep grooves, pits and fissures. They protect the tooth from various bacterial plaques in these caries prone areas of the teeth. The sealants protect these areas by sealing of the entrance to bacteria which give rise to dental caries in susceptible individuals especially in children. Pit and fissure sealants are now commonly being used due to the increase in the awareness among public about dental caries prevention
...at more tentatively, with fluoride gels and varnishes or a chlorhexidine varnish. Some dentists may restore root caries with amalgam restorations. Another treatment option used by some dentists to restore root caries is Glass Ionomer Cements. Glass ionomer cements were first introduced in the early 1970s. They have good adherence to mineralized tooth tissue, which keeps the removal of tooth structure to a minimum. Glass ionomer cements also have the ability to leak and absorb fluoride into the tooth, which decreases the rate of secondary caries. These factors have increased the potential for glass ionomer cements to replace amalgam as a restorative material. (Hammel)
Dr. Gary Silva and his team are highly trained and experienced in providing restorations for all sorts of dental issues. We offer complete and partial dentures, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, bridges, and more. Dr. Silva’s unique background gave him real restorative experience early in his career. For more than 20 years, Dr. Silva has been offering patients the chance to gain a beautiful, functional smile with his restorative dentistry.
3) Describe the rationale and demonstrate how to chart existing restorations (amalgam, composite, gold, crowns, bridges, other), missing teeth, incipient caries and caries.
Dentistry as a profession over the years has evolved rapidly in light of new scientific evidence. Rapidly evolving science and technology have implemented changes within dentistry as evidenced by new standards and guidelines being produced by nationally recognised associations including National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in Scotland, in provision of new scientific evidence. The latest standards and guidelines produced, endorse everyday clinical practice through evidence based dentistry (REF). All dental professionals as part of continued professional development are expected to keep to date on relevant guidelines and knowledge related to their practice (REF). This is supported by the General Dental Council who state all clinicians must maintain their professional knowledge and competence throughout their working career (REF).
The purpose of this paper is to research the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride in comparison to sodium fluoride varnish. Our PICO question is: In a patient with dentinal caries, will the use of silver diamine fluoride compared to sodium fluoride varnish, be more effective at arresting caries? Fluoride has been established for many years as an effective ingredient in the fight against caries. Silver has been used in health care as an anti-bacterial agent in many medical applications such as silver sutures and silver catheters. Silver diamine fluoride was created to increase the effectiveness of both.
After the treatment and procedure is complete, patients leave with healthier, more beautiful teeth, giving them the confidence to ask someone out on a date or the confidence to smile on an important job interview. Dentistry is and has been for centuries, an important aspect of people’s ...
Healthcare is a necessity to sustain society. Dentistry is an area of healthcare that I feel extremely passionate about because access to proper dental care is limited, especially in the underserved communities. As an African American, I want to become a dentist and healthcare provider in the hopes of helping patients and adding to the diversification of the field. With a growing minority population in the United States, it has become apparent that there is a shortage of black dentists. This is problematic because underrepresented minorities are in great need of access to culturally connected dentists who understand their clinical needs as much as their lives and their challenges. I believe that when the profession includes a range of ethnicities
28.Austrian Minister of health, Austria to be amalgam free by the year 2000. FDI Dental World, March/April, 1993, page 6.
Introduction: In Canada, general dental health is not part Canada’s national system of health insurance (Medicare) (1) except for some dental surgical procedures that are performed at hospitals. Since Oral health does not come under the Health Act about ninety-five percent of the oral health care services are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Oral health care is under provincial or territorial jurisdiction like other health care services and publically financed dental care programs provide the remaining five percent of oral health care services (2). Thus, majority of Canadians receive oral health via privately owned dental clinics. Privately owned dental care gives these services providers control over dental service charges, types of available treatment for the patients and number of follow-up appointment for treatments or routine care. Service users pay for the dental expenses from their own pockets or utilize insurance coverage (1).
Our analysis revealed that Affinis® had more dimensional stability in comparison to Panasil® and in the Panasil® impression material, the percentage of dimensional change was significant after 168 h. However, dimensional changes in all of the evaluation times were in the American Dental Association (ADA) standard range. Therefore, these materials had acceptable clinical dimensional stability for approximately 168 h. In the current study, impressions were made from stainless steel dies following the ADA specification for impression materials. This provides a protocol that can be easily replicated by others and it is the same as making a clinical
Dental hygiene is a dynamic and challenging career that offers team work, personal growth, and extraordinary benefits, and it is the perfect career for me. As a health care professional, the dental hygienist is an important member of the dental team providing patient care. Good qualities for a dental hygienist are compassion and enjoying talking to people which are two qualities that fit my personality. I love the thought of knowing I made a positive impact in a person's health. Becoming a dental hygienist professionally requires you to obtain an associate degree in dental hygiene. They affect the average American by educating them about dental care. A dentist helps people with their dental health, which can greatly impact a person’s day-to-day life.
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized field that deals with improving the aesthetics of teeth and the human face. The teeth are an important part of human beauty. Even minor damage to the teeth, such as breakage or loss can drastically alter the overall appearance of the face. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes in to restore beauty. Cosmetic dentistry has become a highly specialized branch due to various advancements in surgical procedures and diagnostic techniques. Several new materials have also been discovered. These materials are very close to the natural enamel and bone from which teeth are made and are virtually indistinguishable. Cosmetic dentistry is an option in conditions such as teeth loss, gaps between teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, cavities and dental
In the past, diseased or damaged teeth could not be salvaged and in most cases, had to be pulled out. However, in the last three decades, endodontic dentistry has evolved to quite an extent and today, professionals trained in this specialty can help save teeth and repair any inherent damage. Common endodontic procedures include root canal therapy, fixing of broken teeth and repairing dental trauma.