Amalgam has been declared as a safe material for posterior restorations by various authorities.Composite resins, on the other hand yet have to clear through the test of cytotoxicity. Amalgam is a time-tested material with easy manipulation. Composites are relatively new and technique sensitive material with inferior mechanical properties.Keeping this in mind, how dental clinician wil respond to my above mentioned question?
Yes! Bonded composite resin has a micromechanical attachment to tooth structure. Amalgam has none.
George
Don't you think bonded amalgam resolved this problem to great extent?
Bonded is amalgam is not bonded integrally to tooth structure. The "bond" seal the tooth surface an the amalgam does not bond to anything. It is virtually inert.
Bonding properties are not important in this case. Amalgam filling last for considerably longer lifespan then composite ones. Amalgam is still better on many ways. But it is not nice looking both aesthetically and in the eyes of health nuts.
P.S. However we should wait for another 5 or so years to have in vivo data on newest composites. They are improving.
Vladmir is right in saying that amalgam restorations without adhesion to tooth last longer than composite restorations.Its appearance makes it inferior and restricts its cinical use.
Let us wait for better composites
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