Dental materials--what goes where? Class I and II cavities

Dental amalgam has helped maintain dental public health in the developed world for over a century. However, its days appear to be numbered. Notwithstanding the environmental consideration, there is an ever increasing demand from dental patients for non-metallic and tooth-coloured restorations in their posterior teeth. This paper gives a brief history of dental amalgam and critically appraises the alternative materials, the principal of these being resin-based composite.

The majority of practitioners carry out large numbers of Class I and II restorations, so an appraisal of the pros and cons of the alternatives may assist in decision-making.