A reconstruction consists of repairing and restoring lost or damaged tooth structure, whether due to caries, trauma or fracture. There are different treatment options, but we focus on the 2 most used materials in recent times:
- Silver amalgam is an alloy of different metals such as copper, zinc, tin and others. It is a material that began to be used in the area of dentistry in the late nineteenth century, however, it is currently being replaced by composite resins, composites.
- The composite is a filling material formed by an organic matrix and an inorganic material that will provide us with different properties such as resistance and hardness.
Differences between Amalgam and Composite
Preparation:
- Silver amalgam needs a cavity that is retentive.
- Composites are micromechanically bonded to the tooth, they do not require any specific preparation and are therefore more conservative with the tooth structure.
- Composite requires a much more thorough preparation than amalgam since it must not come into contact with any fluid (saliva, water, blood, etc.) for proper adhesion.
Characteristics:
- Amalgam does not have a modulus of elasticity, unlike composites which do, and it is for this reason that during chewing small cracks are created in the tooth, which over the years lead to tooth breakage.
- Composites are more esthetic, there are different shades to resemble the tooth as closely as possible.
- The amalgams are gray in color, and over the years the tooth darkens.
Nowadays we are hearing a lot about the toxicity of silver amalgams, however there are countless scientific studies that show the safety and efficacy of this filling material. The ADA (American Dental Association) is constantly studying the different filling materials for the safety of patients. Clínica Ilzarbe bets for the best for each of our patients, and we like to individualize each case, so we will be happy to help you by offering what we do best, create and remove smiles! For any questions, the recommendation is to put yourself in the hands of experts such as our professionals at Clínica Ilzarbe. Do not hesitate and call us to make an appointment with us, we are waiting for you!
Let nothing stop you from smiling!
Dentist Responsible for the Preservation Area
