Dental Amalgam

Dental Amalgam is a commonly used dental filling that has been used for over 150 years. Amalgam has many advantages over other restorative material, such as low cost, strength and durability. It can often times be used in areas of the mouth where isolation from saliva is difficult, as it is more forgiving than composite in this regard.  

Amalgam is used in dentistry for a number of reasons. It is relatively easy to use and manipulate during placement; it remains soft for a short time so it can be packed to fill any irregular volume, and then forms a hard compound. Amalgam possesses greater longevity than other direct restorative materials, such as composite. On average, most amalgam restorations serve for 10 to 12 years, whereas resin-based composites serve for about half that time. However, with recent improvements in composite material science and a better understanding of the technique-sensitivity of placement, it should be noted that this difference is decreasing.

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are considered safe and effective for tooth restoration.