Amalgam

Amalgam is any alloy that contains mercury. In dentistry, amalgam fillings are made by mixing an alloy of silver and mercury in a special device called an amalgamator.

Amalgam has high strength and wear resistance, which is why it has long been a popular material for filling teeth. However, in recent decades, its use has been abandoned due to the potential toxicity of mercury to the body.

Modern dental materials, such as composites, do not contain mercury and are considered safer. However, old amalgam fillings can still be found in many patients.

Amalgam is any alloy that contains mercury. In dentistry, amalgam fillings are made by mixing an alloy of silver and mercury in a special device called an amalgamator.

Amalgam is formed as a result of the interaction of mercury with other metals, such as silver, tin, copper, zinc and others. Due to its high plasticity, amalgam fills cavities well and retains its shape after hardening. This makes it a suitable material for fillings in dentistry.

However, amalgam fillings also have disadvantages. They are not as aesthetically pleasing as composite fillings and can cause blackening of the tooth edges. In addition, mercury vapor released from amalgam raises concerns about harmful health effects. Therefore, there is currently a trend towards reducing the use of amalgam in dentistry and replacing it with alternative materials.

Amalgam alloy is a group of alloys that differ in their chemical and physical properties from other groups of metal alloys. Often called simply amalgam. “Amalgamates” is a mixture, a state of a substance or a mixture of substances, also called an amalgamated body or an amalgamated composition.

The origin of amalgamer as an alloy dates back to the end of the 18th century, when A. Politzer tested an amalgam from a horny jaw in Germany. From that moment on, a systematic search for new metals for the manufacture of amalgam fillings began. As you know, the history of medical alloys is not stable. They are either widely used in dentistry or are practically replaced by others.

In 1854, B. Mishker conducted experiments on amalgamation with bromine-iodine metals. And F. Kruessmann and H. Kempel in 1872 announced an amalgam based on zinc oxide and cerium, and a couple of years later I. Huppe proposed using gold-indium for amalgam. This was the golden age of dental alloys. However, already in the first quarter of the 20th century. There was a sharp cooling towards amalgam therapy. This was largely due to the high cost of the procedure itself for filling a tooth with amalgam and the harsh attitude of patients towards the need to regularly repeat the procedure