Dental Amalgam

Dental Amalgam was a commonly used dental filling for over 150 years. It is a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal mostly silver. 

DR HEGEMAN DOES NOT PLACE AMALGAM RESTORATIONS AND DOES NOT HAVE THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE IN HIS OFFICE. COMPOSITE RESTORATIONS ARE USED INSTEAD.

There are circumstances in which composite (white fillings) serves better than amalgam; when amalgam is not indicated, or when a more conservative preparation would be beneficial, composite is the recommended restorative material. These situations would include small occlusal restorations, in which amalgam would require the removal of a more sound tooth structure, as well as in “enamel sites beyond the height of contour.”

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are considered safe and effective for tooth restoration.