Is it the end of the road for dental amalgam? A critical review.

The longevity of dental restorations is dependent on many factors, including those related to materials, the dentist, and the patient. Dental amalgams have successfully served the profession for over a century. The main reasons for restoration failure are secondary caries, fracture of the bulk of the restoration or of the tooth, and marginal deficiencies and wear. The importance of direct-placement, aesthetic, tooth-colored restorative materials is still increasing. Amalgam restorations are being replaced because of alleged adverse health effects and inferior aesthetic appearance. All alternative restorative materials and procedures, however, have certain limitations. This article will attempt to critically analyse both amalgams and resin based composites, through an evaluation of scientific literature.