Heather Miller
Amalgam vs. Composite Paper
Restorative Dentistry II
November 3, 2015

Differences of Amalgam and Composite Fillings In Dentistry As dentistry progresses, so does the availability and advancements of the materials used for dental restorations. The two most common materials used for fillings are amalgam and composite. There are both advantages and disadvantages for each of these materials and each clinician has their own preferences for what material they prefer to use on their patients. There are safety measures that are associated with each material based on the chemical properties of both of these materials. Both materials have been around for decades and have their own advantages and disadvantages. In the Dental …show more content…
The bonding capabilities of early resins wasn’t very stable, however, in 1962 Bowen developed the Bis-GMA monomer in an attempt to improve the physical properties of acrylic resins. Early composites required a catalyst, which would affect the proportions and stability of the material. In the 1970s they started using an ultraviolet light source to cure the material. They switched from ultraviolet light to visible light because the UV light was showing signs of iatrogenic side effects and polymerization. Bis-GMA monomers are still, to this day, the most-used for manufacturing present-day composites; whether alone or in conjunction with urethane dimethacrylate, it constitutes around twenty percent of standard composite resin compositions. (García et al, …show more content…
Yes, there are some very important disadvantages associated with composite resins, however, there are no major safety concerns with this material like with amalgam. Although composites can be matched to the tooth color and can be placed with minimal tooth structure removal, amalgams commonly last longer and are stronger against the forces of chewing (Ferracane, 2001).
Throughout this paper I have discussed the major safety concerns associated with both composite and amalgam restorative materials, and they have both proven to be safe for dental use. I have discussed their individual advantages and disadvantages and other characteristics and explained they people like to use both materials for different reasons. Being able to understand the characteristics of both these material to make the proper recommendations for you patient on which material to use is key for proper informed