The use of dental amalgam in pediatric dentistry: Review of the literature

J. W. Osborne, J. B. Summitt, H. W. Roberts

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dental amalgam is widely used as a restorative material even though it is not esthetic and there has been extensive anti-amalgam rhetoric. Although other materials have improved greatly, amalgam has the proven safety record and best cost-to-benefit ratio. Clinical evidence indicates that, in the posterior permanent dentition - where esthetics is not a primary concern - the small, minimally prepared, amalgam restoration, with its margins and any caries-susceptible fissures sealed with resin fissure sealant, is the restoration with the best survival. Amalgam also remains the best direct restorative option when larger restorations are required. In the primary dentition, the data indicates that resin-based composite and resin-modified glass-ionomer serve very well.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)439-447
Number of pages9
JournalPediatric Dentistry
Volume24
Issue number5
StatePublished - Sep 2002

Keywords

  • Amalgam restoration
  • Literature review
  • Pediatric restorative dentistry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The use of dental amalgam in pediatric dentistry: Review of the literature'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this