"The great amalgam debate"

[Rafael Costa Guerra]

With the new wave of "last generation" of primers/composites for posterior restoration, would be nice to hear some opinions about Silver Amalgam from the users of this message board.

Please understand that my intention is not to generate a Flame War, a combat zone or anything like that. Just to bring something different than NBDE issues.

Rafael C. Guerra

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[groundhog]

Check out <a href="http://www.jopdent.org" target="_blank">http://www.jopdent.org</a>

 

[DrJeff]

As long as some of my patient's keep doing me a favor and figure out a way to get decay in areas such as the linguals of #'s 18 and 31 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> , there will be amalgam in my office!

 

[Rafael Costa Guerra]

Thank you for the link. I was actually looking for posts like the one from DrJeff, just to have an idea of different opinions of the users of THIS message board.

Rafael

 

[JML1DDS]

You know in kids Amalgam can be a God sent... I don't care how good composites become if you have to isolate then there will always be amalgam. Composites change so fast that you never see any long term studies about composites (i.e. 10 yrs or 12 yrs.) by the time a 3 year study is published the materials used probably are not on the market anymore. Amalgam is tried and true and has been around for a long time. Granted it leaks like crazy for a while (hence sensitivity after placement), but it can literally be placed under water and function well. UNTIL THEY CAN MAKE A CAR ENGINE OUT OF PLASTIC THERE WILL BE AMALGAM. It still has its uses!!!!

 

[Rafael Costa Guerra]

Good point Dr. JML1.

I was a victim myself 9as a patient) of "extention for prevention" back in early 80s and I had some class I amalgams (should be NOTHING, sealants/glass Ionomer at most, but now it's too late).

Most of them were NEVER replaced (20+ years). i still haven't seen a "submarine resin" either, for the young dentists the technique may be way too sensitive (as well as for the young patients)

Rafael C. Guerra

 

[DrJeff]

I love when I see offices near my put up the big "amalgam free" add, because I know that some of those patients will get frustrated with that dentist some of those composite restorations fail in a short period of time. In frustration (and often needing endo by now) some of them come into my office and give me a bunch of new business

Don't get me wrong, I love placing composites, but you really have to know when and where they are apropriate. They're definately "prettier" to look at after placement, but if placed in the wrong location (i.e poor isolation/moisture control) they can look real ugly on the patient's next set of bite wings with areas of recurrent decay <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> that you'll likely be replacing free of charge

I think that great phrase "know when to say when" can easily be applied to the great amalgam debate!