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Dr. Cranham on Amalgams

August 4th, 2009 · 4 Comments

fillingsI have never believed that amalgam creates a major health issue, but that’s not to say some patients may be more sensitive than others, and for them, amalgam can be a problem. My practice has been amalgam free for 10 years because now we simply have better materials. There are benefits in terms of sealing and strenghtening the tooth with composite, as well as the estheitc issue. None of my patients want black or silver fillings, given the alternative.

I will say, amalgam is the most forgiving material for fillings. If it’s impossible to isolate a tooth, amalgam is better than composite. In fact, a poor amalgam is better than a poor composite. When composite fillings fail, they fail big. Dentists have more room for error with silver filling materials. So there is still a time and place for amalagam. Dental students will continue to use it. Elderly patients with root caries under the gum will need amalgam. From a health standpoint, we don’t need to scare the population about amalgam fillings.

Tags: Dental Direction from Dr. John Cranham

4 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Tamer Michiel DDS // Aug 4, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    Well said. I agree 100%.

  • 2 Tamer Michiel DDS // Aug 4, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    Well said. I agree 100%.

  • 3 Tom Greany, DDS // Aug 6, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    In over ten years of practice, I can recall placing a total of six amalgams. Each was subgingival on the distal of a terminal molar. If properly isolated from mouth moisture, composite is the better material in my opinion. I did not encounter other situations in which I could not achieve proper isolation.

  • 4 Tom Greany, DDS // Aug 6, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    In over ten years of practice, I can recall placing a total of six amalgams. Each was subgingival on the distal of a terminal molar. If properly isolated from mouth moisture, composite is the better material in my opinion. I did not encounter other situations in which I could not achieve proper isolation.

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