[Secondary caries as a problem]

A large number of the all operative work performed in a dental office is amalgam fillings. Secondary caries continuous to be a serious problem although amalgam has been improved to a large extent. All efforts that have been made to eliminate the problem of secondary caries associated with amalgam fillings have not been very successful so far. There is always a lack of permanent seal between restorations and the prepared tooth surfaces so that microleakage always exists. The purpose of this paper was to search the literature on the subject and find ways and attempts that have been made on the elimination of secondary caries. On the other hand was aimed to present and discuss the application of fluorides into the cavity preparation as a preventive method of eliminating secondary caries as well as the possible effects of fluorides on the dental pulp if they exist. The literature gives a lot of information on the subject and fluorides in the cavity before the filling insertion seems to be a safe and approved method against secondary caries. Regarding the effect of fluorides on the pulp it is indicated that when the proper agent and technique is used there is no any deleterious effect and the method is not contraindicated.