What is wrong with amalgams?
Good question. Amalgams have saved more teeth than any other restorative material. In my opinion, however, better options are available today. Clinical Research Associates, an independent non-profit research organization in Provo, Utah, did a comparative performance review of 21 different filling materials over three (3) years. The standard, or control, was a high quality amalgam, which contained mercury, tin, copper, silver and zinc. In ranking the materials for wear, margin adaptation, surface smoothness, wear of opposing teeth, and breakage, six of the thirteen restorative materials rated best were composites (usually quartz or porcelain type particles in a resin matrix). Six (6) more materials tested a year later ranked better than amalgam. In good conscience we cannot ask our patients to accept an inferior material. We have not placed amalgams since 1981. We use tooth-colored composite for our fillings . If you have further questions, or desire references for research on composite
