Amalgam. Amalgam is a material made from base metal patchwork, where its main components:
* Ie liquid metal mercury
* Powder of metal alloys which contain mainly composed of silver, tin, and copper. It also contained other metals with a smaller percentage.
Both components are reacted to form amalgam fillings to be hardened, with a metallic color that contrasts with the color of teeth.
Pros:
* It can be said amalgam is by far the most powerful patchwork material in comparison with other patchwork material in resisting the pressure of chewing, so that the amalgam can survive for long periods of very long in the mouth (dental amalgam reported in several studies last up to more than 15 years with conditionsboth) provided that the stages of filling in accordance with the procedure.
* Resistance to wear is very high, unlike other materials, which generally will experience wear over time due to factors that interact with each other in the mouth such as chewing and oral fluid style.
* Amalgam fillings with relatively more simple and easy and not too "sensitive technique" when compared with resin composite, in which the bit error in one of its stages will greatly affect the durability and strength of resin composite material patches.
* The cost is relatively lower
Disadvantages:
Gmbr. Amalgam fillings are less good, in which the edges tambalannya
looks are not intact and the looming blackness.
* The aesthetic is not good because the color that contrasts with the color of teeth, so it can not be indicated for the front teeth or where aesthetic considerations is preferred.
* In the long run there are some cases in which the edges of the patch directly adjacent teeth can cause discoloration of the teeth so that it looks black looming
* In some cases there are number of patients who were allergic to the metal contained in the materials patchwork amalgam. In addition, some time after fillings sometimes patients often complain of feeling sensitive to heat or cold stimuli. But these complaints generally do not last long and fade away after the patient is able to adapt.
* Until now the issue of amalgam toxicity associated with mercury they contain is still hotly discussed. In certain countries there are already imposed a ban on the use of amalgam as a patchwork.
Indications: molar teeth (molars) which receives the greatest chewing load, can be used in both the permanent teeth as well as in children.
