Dental Amalgam

A dental restoration or dental filling is a dental restorative material used to artificially restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss typically results from caries or external trauma. It is also lost intentionally during tooth preparation to improve the aesthetics or the physical integrity of the intended restorative material. Dental restoration also refers to the replacement of missing tooth structure by restoring dental implants.

Dental restorations may be fabricated out of a variety of materials, Common direct restorative materials include dental amalgam, glass ionomer cement and composite resins. Common indirect restorative materials include acrylic, porcelain, zirconia, gold and other metals.

An amalgam is any mixture or blending of mercury with another metal or with an alloy. Most metals are soluble in mercury, but some (such as iron) are not. Amalgams are commonly used in dental fillings.

Dental restoration types
Dental restorations can be divided into two broad types: direct restorations and indirect restorations. All dental restorations can be further classified by their location and size.

1. Direct restorations
Direct restorations are molded to the tooth in situ, while indirect restorations are created away from the tooth, traditionally prepared in a laboratory.

2. Indirect restorations
Common indirect restorations include inlays and onlays, crowns, bridges, and veneers.

Usually a dental technician fabricates the indirect restoration from records the dentist has provided of the prepared tooth. Once a proper fit and bite is confirmed the restoration is usually bonded permanently.

While the indirect restoration is being prepared, a provisory/temporary restoration sometimes is used to cover the prepared part of the tooth, in order to maintain the occlusal space and the contact points, and insulation of the pulpal tissues and maintenance of the periodontal relationship.

Removable dental prostheses (mainly dentures) are considered by some to be a form of indirect dental restoration, as they are made to replace missing teeth. There are numerous types of precision attachments (also known as combined restorations) to aid removable prosthetic attachment to teeth, including magnets, clips, hooks and implants which could be seen as a form of dental restoration.

3. Restoration classifications
GV Black classified the fillings depending on their size and location. Class I was given one surface fillings.

4. Restoration of dental implants
Dental implants are becoming more widely used as the technology and treatment research improves. A dental implant, usually made from titanium or titanium alloy, is a screw which anchors into maxillary or mandibular bone. Some of the uses of dental implants in restorative care are to support an implant crown, bridge, or dental prosthesis. Ideally the bone integrates into the implant screw's roughened surface.

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(Source: Wikipedia)