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05:42
Detection and Removal of Tooth-Colored Composite Resin Using the Fluorescence-Aided Identification Technique
Published on: July 27, 2022
Has resin-based composite replaced amalgam?
Gordon J Christensen1, Paul L Child
1info@pccdental.com
Dentistry Today
|March 4, 2010
Summary
Dental amalgam use persists despite controversy, with minimal health risks. The slow shift to tooth-colored resin-based composite restorations continues, though amalgam remains prevalent in North America.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Restorative Dentistry
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Dental amalgam, a long-standing restorative material, remains controversial despite widespread acceptance by major health organizations.
- Historical debates surrounding amalgam safety persist, influencing contemporary dental practice and patient perceptions.
- Variations in amalgam usage exist globally, with notable differences in adoption rates among developed nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the ongoing debate surrounding dental amalgam use and its implications for restorative dentistry.
- To analyze the current trends in the adoption of resin-based composite restorations as alternatives to amalgam.
- To discuss the slow transition from amalgam to tooth-colored materials in dental clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and contemporary dental practices regarding amalgam and composite restorations.
- Analysis of trends in material selection for Class II restorations in North America.
- Discussion of the perceived and actual health hazards associated with dental amalgam.
Main Results:
- Dental amalgam continues to be used by a majority of North American practitioners, despite ongoing controversy and the availability of alternatives.
- Resin-based composite restorations are increasingly utilized, particularly in Class II locations, signifying an evolutionary shift in restorative materials.
- While controversial, current evidence suggests dental amalgam possesses minimal to no significant health hazards.
Conclusions:
- The transition from amalgam to resin-based composite restorations is a slow and complex process, influenced by historical context and ongoing professional debate.
- Despite perceived risks, dental amalgam remains a viable and widely used restorative material with minimal documented health hazards.
- The continued use of amalgam, alongside the increasing adoption of composite resins, highlights the evolving landscape of restorative dentistry.
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