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Chapter-09 Dental Amalgam

BOOK TITLE: Textbook of Preclinical Conservative Dentistry

Author
1. Garg Nisha
2. Garg Amit
ISBN
9789350250778
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11344_9
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
22
Author Affiliations
1. Ex-Resident, Government Dental College, Patiala, Presently at, Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad, Haryana, India, Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad, Haryana, India, Government Dental College, Patiala, Sri Sukhmani Dental College and Hospital, Dera Bassi, Mohali, Punjab, India, Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India
2. Government Dental College, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India, Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad, Haryana, India, Sri Sukhmani Dental College and Hospital, Dera Bassi, Mohali, Punjab, India, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, India, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, USA
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Dental amalgam is the most commonly used dental restorative material for over 150 years. First introduced in France in the early 19th century, it contains a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal. Amalgam has been the restorative method of choice for many years because its strength, durability, ease of application, low cost, and bacteriostatic effects. Factors that have led to recent decline in use are its detrimental health effects, aesthetics, environmental pollution, and improved substitute materials are now available for certain applications. Dental amalgam, an inter-metallic compound, contains elemental mercury that is emitted in minute amounts as vapor. The health issue concerns the known toxic affects of mercury and whether these are present in the amounts released from the amalgam. The aesthetic issue is because the metallic color does not blend with the natural tooth color. This is especially a concern when used on front teeth, but it can be addressed using alternative dental materials. The environmental concerns are regarding mercury emissions during preparation and from waste amalgam upon cremation of deceased individuals.

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