Silver Amalgam Restorations Research Articles

Recent advances in operative dentistry for children

A review of articles on operative technics that can be used with children which have been written during the past ten years reveals that most authors consider silver amalgam as the filling material of choice for restorations in deciduous teeth. The authors also agree that a modified type of cavity preparation should be em­ ployed for these teeth. Because of dif­ ferent training and teaching backgrounds as well as differing individual experiences and philosophies, however, complete agreement does not exist as to the manner in which the cavity preparations should be modified in order to compensate for the inherent anatomic variations in de­ ciduous teeth, and at the same time to enhance the qualities of the silver amalgam restoration. This is especially true with regard to the Class II cavity preparation. Nu­ merous methods for the preparation of such cavities in deciduous teeth have been reported in the literature, as well as a variety of suggestions and admonish­ ments with regard to the depth, width, shape and form which the cavity prepara­ tion should assume.1;8 It is little wonder that many dentists find themselves in a dilemma as to which preparation they should employ. The 1951 report of a committee ap­ pointed by the American Academy of Pedodontics to study the principles of proximoocclusal cavity preparations for deciduous molar teeth, and the research projects which have been conducted at various dental schools during the past few years have done much to solve the prob­ lem and place the Class II cavity prepara­ tion for deciduous teeth on a more

Restorations of Silver Amalgam

Preservation of a healthy set of natural teeth for each patient should be the ob­ jective of every dentist. All work in the health field is aimed basically at conser­ vation of the human body and its func­ tions. The opthalmologist does not revel in the number of sockets he can prepare for plastic and glass substitutes for eyes. The surgeon is so conservative that loss of even a small part of a finger or toe, notwithstanding the fact that the patient will still have nine more, is considered a tragedy. Likewise, loss of even a part of a human tooth should be regarded as a serious injury, never to be considered lightly, and the tooth is certainly worthy of the most careful restoration. There­ fore, in the tradition of all health care, dentistry offers its highest service in the combination of routine preventive and restorative care. Until complete control of caries by preventive measures is ac­ complished, restorative dentistry must continue as a most important part of dental practice. Silver amalgam has saved and con­ tinues to save more teeth than all other materials combined. Carefully handled, silver amalgam restorations will give more service for the time and effort expended than any other. No apology need be made to any patient for their use. There are not enough dentists to serve the public with any durable ma­ terial, amalgam not excepted. However, more amalgam restorations can be made in a given length of time. Practical sug­ gestions for making good silver amalgam restorations follow.